CRIME WAVE IN AUSTRALIA.

Hokitika Guardian, 21 April 1923, Page 4

CRIME WAVE IN AUSTRALIA.

Yoi’XQ DESPERADOES. SYDNEY. Aptil 11. j A rom irk:; l '] . feature of the crime j "ave its Australian cities, which eon- j tnines Lu he a serious problem, is the j .youthfulness of many ol the apprehend- I ed criminal'. C’.t-e after ea-e ic. c L j yo* ill- in their ea-.ly .i . and j many even in their Teens, as the per- | petratots of desperate etimos. ranging | iroiii “breaking and earning and sterling” t : r V try under arm-. .1 t ( f 18 who was convicted in the Sydney Quarter Sessions the other day romai kc-ii •Jaiiitively from the deck that if there were not so many ‘'receivers” fewer youths would go wrong. He himself had been tempted into the crime l.y a shopkeeper who “received.” Apparently the young prisoner spoke an important truth, as those who Imre studied the problem agree that the extraordinary facility with tvhtih stolen goods can iio disposed of is the greatest,

incentive to the widespread thefts and burglaries that are constantly being reported. Only during the past week, silks and other goods valued at £IOOO were removed during the night from tile fashionable establishment of 11. Hunt and Co., in George Street, the rubbers having burst open a cellar door at tlie rear of the premises ;.:id cut their way through the iloor of the shop. The same night thieves entered the big warehouse of Peterson. Bfesr.it and Co. in York street, and apparently they were disturbed and made eff, as goods valued at C’JHOO were found the next day piled up ready for removal, but nothing had been taken. Yll these parts are regularly patrolled by pnlice and watchmen, so that the work of the desperadies must requite much reckless courage and it is Idcieved that this is rcsja nsible for so many youths being enticed into the era flic In cominciiUng upon tic matter from the Sydney Quarter Sc"iuns Bench during the past- week. Judge White said that the number of youthful criminals ulio bad recently been rciivc Ltd on charges involving penalties up to 10 years’ hard labour was extraerdinaiy. and be could not help thinking that the impressk.n was growing among young men that they could commit almost any offence once and trust to the provisions for first oll'entlers to get them cut of trouble if they were caught.