Racism in the Northern Territory [manuscript]: the attitudes of administrators, pastoralists and unionists to Aborigines employed in the cattle industry during the Depression, 1929-1934

Abstract

This thesis investigates the racism exhibited by Administrators, Pastoralists and Trade Unionists towards Aborigines employed in the Northern Territory cattle industry during the Depression years, 1929 to 1934. Their racism is examined within the framework of sociological and historical theories of racism. An historical evolution of racism is outlined, showing that from Colonial history emerged Colonial racism, which regarded 'natives' as an inferior race destined to serve as a cheap source of labour for European colonists. This racism occurred in two main forms: as a 'primitive' and violent racism; and as a 'civilised', paternalistic racism. The development of nationalism coincided with the rise of a Nationalistic racism which defined the nation as an homogeneous people, excluding all others as inherently inferior. As the colonial era drew to an end, and colonial 'natives' began to immigrate to Europe, their position within the modern nation-states became problematic. Where they continued to be regarded as a source of cheap labour, their exploitation provoked a racist reaction from the working class, referred to as Migrant Labour racism or Competitive racism. This thesis argues that European racism in the Northern Territory can only be fully understood if we consider that each of these forms of racism existed simultaneously. This historical anomaly saw the merging of a dependent colonial frontier with a modern nation-state, and the racist attitudes of the Europeans reflect this situation. The Administrators legitimised their racism with arguments of Social Darwinism while seeking to promote Nationalistic racism. Economic considerations, however, made the arguments of Colonial racism appear attractive. The Pastoralists exhibited Colonial racism in all its forms, both primitive and paternalistic. In their official dealings, they also utilised arguments of Nationalistic and Scientific racism. The Unionists exhibited a Competitive racism which was tempered by left-wing influences which advocated an end to racial discrimination as the only solution to Aboriginal competition. In each group, the manifestations of racism were complex and varied, revealing that racist ideology w as inextricably linked with social, economic and political considerations.