WHITE SLAVE TRAFFIC.

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume XXXVIII, Issue 5221, 30 December 1927, Page 2

WHITE SLAVE TRAFFIC.

POLICE FEARS IN SYDNEY. PARENTS ARE DECEIVED. Are agents of a white slave organisation operating again in Sydney ? Fears are entertained by police officials, who are alarmed at the num-, ber of girls and young iyomep who set out from their homes, ostensibly to work in the city, and disappear. , Many young women have been reported missing in the last few montns The position has become so serious that the Commissioner of Police (Mr Mitchell) has specially ordeared detec-, tives to assist Sergeant Armfield, hfefid of the women police, in her investigations.

When a girl is reported as missing, a mother will tell the-police that her daughter is employed at a big warehouse or factory in the city. Yetw hen detectives make inquiries at the address given, they in. variably find that the girl has not worked there, or has, left the employ of the firm long before her disappearace. PLEA OF ILLNESS. Recently two young girls disappeared. When the police made inquiries at a factory where they were supposed to be working, they were told that after two days both girls had pleaded illness, and were allowed to go home. That was weeks before their disappearance. Detectives ascertained that each girl .had brought borne wages regularly in the intervening weeks, had departed for “work” at a regular hour, and had returned home in the evening at the usual time. Yet it was definitely established that they had not been working, but had been seen round the city with a man who is listed at Police Headquarters as a “doubtful character.” Many of the, girls have not been found. Others have been rescued in time by the prompt action of the’r parents in notifying the police. Only recently Singleton police detained a young girl who was en route to Brisbane.

At present about six girls have not been accounted for. In the case of Kathleen Reedy, death is presumed to have claimed her. But the others are causing the police grave concern. A typist in an office in Martin Place , has not been heard of since.