Rabbit-Proof Fence (extract 2)

NEVILLE: As you know, every Aborigine born in this State comes under my control.

Notice, if you will, the half-caste child.

And there are ever-increasing numbers of them. Now, what is to happen to them?

Are we to allow the creation of an unwanted third race?

Should coloureds be encouraged to go back to the black?

Or should they be advanced to white status and be absorbed in the white population?

Now, time and again, I'm asked by some white man, "If I marry this coloured person, "will our children be black?" And as Chief Protector of Aborigines, it is my responsibility to accept or reject those marriages. Here is the answer.

Three generations:

Half-blood grandmother; Quadroon daughter; Octoroon grandson.                  

Now, as you can see, in the third generation, or third cross, no trace of native origin is apparent.The continuing infiltration of white blood finally stamps out the black colour. The Aboriginal has simply been bred out.

Now...                  

...we come to the Moore River Native Settlement.

Ladies, most of you are familiar with our work here - the training of domestic servants and farm labourers.

I would like to thank you for your continuing support.

Hundreds of half-caste children have been gathered up and brought here to be given the benefit of everything our culture has to offer. For if we are to fit and train such children for the future, they cannot be left as they are.

And, in spite of himself, the native must be helped.