GANG HATE

Hokitika Guardian, 28 February 1930, Page 8

GANG HATE

DESIRE FOR, VENGEANCE. PENNILESS COUPLE’S PLIGHT. SYDNEY, February 13. A strange’ story from. Perth brings ,vith it irrefutable evidence that criminal gangs in all the Australian States are inter-allied to such an extent that any law-abiding citizen who dares to do Ins duty as a witness in a criminal prosecution may be subjected to merciless persecution wherever he may seek sanctuary. Hounded out of Sydney, Melbourne, and Adelaide by the reprisals of revengeful underworld gangs—driven across Australia in a ruthless blood hunt—Sydney York and his wife, who gave damning evidence at Sydney to convict tv razor gangster, William Smiley, in September, 1923, are now starving and penniless in Perth They have made a pathetic appeal to the authorities for free passages from their native land, in which they no longer dare to live.

York was formerly employed in a Sydney theatre. He and his wife witnessed the vicious attack by razorslasher William Smiley on two men named Loyd and 1 Scott at Surry Hills, Sydney. In the subsequent trial, York was.the vital witness against the gangster. York had borne an unblemished character, and the long sentence that was imposed on Smiley was mainly the result of his evidence. Even before the triad the gang swore vengeance, and adopted: many ways to dissuade York from appearing in the witness box. They instituted a reign of terrorism. On one occasion York’s home was raided, he was the victim of a vicious street attack, and he received many threats of violence. Finally York had to appeal to the police for protection. A barbed wired entanglement was thrown around his' house, and a constant day and night watch was kept. Constables escorted him. to and from his work, and even sat near him at lunch. Yet, despite such attention from the underworld, York carried out his public duty and gave evidence at the trial. With such fear and terror did York contemplate further life in Sydney that the police advised him to go to Melbourne; The news of his going preceded him, however, sind in Melbourne the gangs carried on a ruthless persecution. Again he was given police protection, and he was finally advised to move further on. Adelaide proved similarly hostile, and so he went on to Perth. He is now firm in the belief that life will be safe only when oceans separate him from the far-flung vengeance of the razor gangs. But the various changes have left him. penniless, and he and his wife are stranded. Hence tlieir appeal to the Government to assist them to go abroad.