TO THE GOVERNMENT OF VICTORIA.
We, the undersigned, being convinced that the scientific study of the institutions and beliefs of savages is of the greatest importance for the understanding of the early history of mankind, desire respectfully to the Government of Victoria that it is in its power to contribute effectually to the advancement of science by co-operating with the Government of South Australia in a scheme for investigating some of the
aboriginal tribes within the territory of the latter Government, especially the tribes situated in the northern part of the territory between the MacDonnell Ranges and the
Gulf of Carpentaria. Of these tribes very little is known and unless an investigation of them is undertaken promptly, it is to be feared that like the aborigines of Tasmania they may pass away before any trustworthy account of them has been placed on record. The loss thus entailed on science would be grievous as well as irreparable; for in spite of the disappearance of so many of the Aborigines, Australia still offers one of the most interesting fields of observation now open to the student of primitive man; and it is to Australia, more perhaps than to any other quarter of the globe, that anthropologists are now looking for the solution of certain problems of great moment in the early history of society and religion. The value of the anthropological materials which can still be collected in northern Australia is well illustrated by the admirable monograph of MI'. W. E. Roth on the natives of North-west central Queensland, which was recently published by the enlightened liberality of the Queensland Government. Still more recently the central tribes, within the territory of South Australia, have been described by Professor Baldwin Spencer and Mr. F. J. Gillen in a work which, as a model of scientific research and storehouse of accurate observation, must always rank among the documents of primary importance for anthropology. We are confident, therefore, that in Professor Baldwin Spencer, of the University of Melbourne, joint author of The Native Tribes of Central Australia, the Government of Victoria possesses an investigator eminently qualified by skill and experience for pursuing those researches which still remain to be carried out among the tribes further to the north; and accordingly we petition the Government of Victoria that it would be pleased to relieve Professor Baldwin Spencer of his present official duties for one year on condition of devoting himself during that time to a thorough investigation of the northern tribes of South Australia. And as Professor Spencer's researchers would doubtless be greatly furthered by the co-operation of ' his friend and former colleague, Mr. F. J. Gillen, we are at the same time petitioning the Government of South Australia that it would be pleased in like manner to grant Mr. F. J. Gillen leave of absence for a year in order that he may be able to prosecute the work we have indicated in conjunction with Professor Spencer. We venture to express our belief that, Victoria and South Australia grant our petition, the result will be an addition to our knowledge of such extent and importance that it will be warmly welcomed by anthropologists in all parts of the world, and will reflect credit, not merely on the two gentlemen primarily concerned, but also on the Governments enterprise.
And your petitioners will ever pray.
[followed by a long list of petitioners…]
page 165
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Discussion ensued
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Resolved -
That the Council accede to the request provided that provision satisfactory to the Council be made for the discharge of Professor Spencer’s duties, such provision no to involve any additional expense to the University
That Professor Spencer be invited to make report and recommendation
