...Anybody who fell pregnant...

'The Protection Act was very strict at that time and I remember people going to court; couples going to court because a girl was pregnant and being made to marry by the Murray Island Councillors. They thought it was disgraceful for any woman to be a single mother. Anybody who fell pregnant, or any boy who was responsible for making the woman pregnant, was put into jail and then appeared in court and was made to marry that girl whether they loved each other or not.'

Keywords: Murray Island Council, Protection Act, 1897-1901

Loos, Noel and Mabo, Edward 1996, 'Edward Mabo: His Life and Struggle for Land Rights', Queensland University Press.
Source: Mabo, Edward Koiki