Colonists and Aboriginal business

Many long time Sydney residents still know some Aboriginal people by name. They are accustomed to their nakedness or motley clothing, their feuds and their politics. They are provided with food, fishhooks and clothes and boat crews continue to exploit them as workers - but listen to the news they carry. Colonists uphold the Sydney tradition of non-interference in Aboriginal business, for within the law English administrators do not harass them. (Karskens, p. 446)