WHITE SLAVERY.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXXV, Issue 1055, 25 January 1913, Page 4

WHITE SLAVERY.

A London cable slates that a man named Patrick Conner has been sentenced to eighteen months’ imprisonment at the Old Bailey, and to receive thirty strokes of the “cat” for forcing his wife to lead an immoral life. Also that Frederick Austin, a musician, charged also under the White Slavery Act, was sentenced to twelve months’ imprisonment and to receive twenty-four strokes of the “cat.” During the past I wo days (says the London Dally Mail of December reth) feverish preparations to leave the country have been made by the men who had trapped innocent girls in our cities. This activity, our contemporary was informed by a high police official, began directly the votes of the House of Lords became known confirming the clause in the White Slave Bill, which empowers a magistrate to order a flogging on a first conviction for certain offences, and inserting an amendment making the Bill become operative, not in January, as was at first proposed, but directly it received the Royal Assent. “We know from our own observations and from information we have received from some of the white slave victims,” said the police authority already quoted, “that a great number of foreigners and bullies are making preparations for an immediate flight. These rascals, who do not ordinarily take any interest in the proceedings of Parliament, are anxiously watching for the decision of the House of

Commons on the Lords’ amendment. If the House of Commons adopts the amendments there will be a welcome aud immediate increase in the cross Channel departures. These clearances having been effected, everything will depend on whether the magistrates exercise their powers to order a flogging in addition to imprisonment. If they do not we shall soon have the foreigners back again, and the number of Englishmen who follow the calling will soon assume its old proportions.”