452 OPINIONS IN THE COLONIES OF ATTEMPTS 
subsisted, or now subsist between them and the 
colonists, of the different steps that have been 
adopted by the Government or others, to ameliorate 
their condition, and of the degree of success or 
otherwise that has attended these efforts. I have 
stated, that from the result of my own experience 
and observation, for a long series of years past, from 
a practical acquaintance with the character and 
peculiarities of the Aborigines, and after a deliberate 
and attentive consideration of the measures that 
have been hitherto pursued, I have unwillingly 
been forced to the conviction, that some great and 
radical defect has been common to all ; that we have 
not hitherto accomplished one single, useful, or per- 
manent result ; and that unless a complete change 
in our system of policy be adopted for the future, 
there is not the slightest hope of our efforts being 
more successful in times to come, than they have 
been in times past. That I am not alone or sin- 
gular in the view which I take on this subject, may 
be shewn from various sources, but most forcibly 
from the opinions or statements of those, who from 
being upon the spot, and personally acquainted with 
the real facts of the case, may be supposed to be 
most competent to form just conclusions, and most 
worthy of having weight attached to their opinions. 
The impression on the public mind in the colonies, 
with respect to the general effect of the measures that 
have heretofore been adopted, may be gathered 
