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At least Australia has a conscience. - 11/16/2009 3:45:54 PM

Aneirin

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In Britain, it has been heavy in the news that Australian Prime Minister Kevin Rudd has given a national apology to all the child slaves Britain sent down under as White Stock which started in the 1940's and ended in 1970, three decades of transportion based on lies, a national disgrace for Britain in the sending and Australia in the receiving, but at least Australia has recognised it's past folly, Prime Minister Brown, is reported to be making a similar apology sometime next year, obviously spurred into lip chewing by Prime Minister Kevin Rudd.

Tv reports showing some of these children now adults, telling of the pain they have suffered, and grown men breaking out into tears recalling those memories is heart rending.

But, the catholic church is in there too, the Congregation of Christian Brothers, too much have I heard of them, from friends tales of childhood Ireland to this, their actions with orphans and poor children in Australia.

But the question that spurred this post, is it fair for present leaders of countries to apologise for past actions of their predecessors, and is that enough to put the issue to rest ?

Should people still living, ( late sixties, there has to be some ), who administered the injustices that are being apologised for, be hounded out and prosecuted , much as ex war and judicial criminals are, even long after the fact ?

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RE: At least Australia has a conscience. - 11/16/2009 4:01:58 PM

DomKen

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WTF!

Definitely the people responsible should be held to account.

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RE: At least Australia has a conscience. - 11/16/2009 4:04:15 PM

Politesub53

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Sadly, this shit has been goping on since 1618, when London street kids were sent to Virginia. the whole policy, while partly well intended, was also a way of providing cheap labour. As per usual it was the working class that suffered most.

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RE: At least Australia has a conscience. - 11/16/2009 4:14:02 PM

DomKen

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quote:

ORIGINAL: Politesub53

Sadly, this shit has been goping on since 1618, when London street kids were sent to Virginia. the whole policy, while partly well intended, was also a way of providing cheap labour. As per usual it was the working class that suffered most.

One of my ancestor's was transported to the Georgia colony but that was 1747 not 1950. What the hell was someone(s) thinking sending orphans and poor kids overseas?

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RE: At least Australia has a conscience. - 11/17/2009 4:00:20 PM

Politesub53

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quote:

ORIGINAL: DomKen

quote:

ORIGINAL: Politesub53

Sadly, this shit has been goping on since 1618, when London street kids were sent to Virginia. the whole policy, while partly well intended, was also a way of providing cheap labour. As per usual it was the working class that suffered most.

One of my ancestor's was transported to the Georgia colony but that was 1747 not 1950. What the hell was someone(s) thinking sending orphans and poor kids overseas?

There were no social services available, I think many felt that they were truly helping the poor. Certainly the streets of Englands major cities were no place for an orphan to survive. Actually the forced migration of children abroad didnt end until almost 1970. It is as sad as it is mind boggling.

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RE: At least Australia has a conscience. - 11/17/2009 4:26:15 PM

AnimusRex

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quote:

ORIGINAL: Politesub53
Sadly, this shit has been goping on since 1618, when London street kids were sent to Virginia. the whole policy, while partly well intended, was also a way of providing cheap labour. As per usual it was the working class that suffered most.

As I recall, there was considerable anti-immigrant fervor at the time.

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RE: At least Australia has a conscience. - 11/17/2009 4:33:43 PM

philosophy

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Dammit PS where's yer cuppa?

you look naked without it.

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RE: At least Australia has a conscience. - 11/18/2009 1:24:53 AM

Politesub53

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quote:

ORIGINAL: philosophy

Dammit PS where's yer cuppa?

you look naked without it.

I needed a vacation Phil.

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RE: At least Australia has a conscience. - 11/18/2009 4:53:42 AM

Aneirin

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I think the bottom line is, the British Government colluded in slavery and racism as recent as 1967, and I understand even then, there was official Whitehall unease about the policy, as is seen here.

But, it should not be mealy mouthed politicians making five minute speaches whilst shedding crocodile tears as though they actually care, but resolve being made to hunt down the rubber stampers and all others involved and hold them accountable for their actions.

Some of the organisations involved include Barnados, the childrens home, and the Catholic Church, the Catholic Church apparently apologised eight years ago for it's past actions with slave children, my, it must have had a guilty conscience.

As for the survivors of this travesty of care and justice, like another said, find them, and record their experiences, and if anyone living is guilty, make their life hell, as despite what they may say, apologies and all, they still hold their memories of the pleasures they sought and gained.

Politicians, less apologising, and more doing would be the order of the day.

< Message edited by Aneirin -- 11/18/2009 4:59:12 AM >

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RE: At least Australia has a conscience. - 11/19/2009 1:53:53 AM

Vendaval

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A national disgrace to be sure.

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