r.In 1911 the federal government became more involved in aboriginal affairs due to taking over the administration of the Northern Territory from South Australia. A policy of protectionism was adopted for the highly aboriginal populated territory. The policy was similar to policies exercised in the other states, carefully regulating the every aspect of Aboriginal life with crude assimilation elements. While gaining responsibility for the territory did not spur the federal Government to Aboriginal social reform, it was beneficial as it brought the government closer to the aboriginal issue, thus increasing their awareness.The assimilation policies did not automatically result in Aborigines being welcomed into white society or improve their actual, in respect to political, situation. Indeed, most Aborigines remained on reserves. Their life was centred on institutions established under government control, where the opportunity to make personal decisions and live in simple dignity was slight. Special conditions governed their employment, while their personal property remained under the control of the governments chief protector of Aborigines. The protector, not the parents, was the legal guardian of the children. Freedom was miniscule and the life of an Aborigine greatly depended on the nature of their protector. World War I added more fuel to the fire of Aboriginal fury over injustice. Aboriginal soldiers, although only a relatively small number (300-500) were among the Australian soldiers sent over for service in the brutal war. In the trenches, white people who were sure to have strong racist misconceptions back home forgot racism when thy were living, eating, laughing and dying with these young [Aboriginal] fellas. However, when the accepted Aborigines returned home, they returned to the strong racism and oppression of the time. They were shunned, their sacrifices ignored and their families oppressed even further than before they left...
