TRAFFIC IN WHITE SLAVES

Taranaki Daily News, 13 April 1928, Page 7

TRAFFIC IN WHITE SLAVES

AUSTRALIAN ALLEGATIONS ► PSEUDO THEATRE MANAGERS ... ..... LEGISLATIVE ACTION ASKED By Telegraph—Pless Assa.—Copyright. A. and N.Z. Sydney, April 12. Commenting on the alleged exportation of girle to the East for white slavery purposes, the Collector of Customs said it was practically impossible for white slavers to carry their victims out of the country. The Home and Territories Department controlled the issue of passports and, while it had no jurisdiction over girls who became involved with unscrupulous theatrical agents inside the Commonwealth, it had power to prevent their transport to any country outside Australia. When girls applied to go to the Philippines the department required full particulars and any suspicious detail was rigidly scrutinised. In addition the Minister for Home and Territories recently issued instructions that it was highly undesirable to grant passports to young women proposing to aacept theatrical engagements in the East without the most strict inquiries being made as to the standing of the applicants and the persons or firms to whom they were under engagement. A deputation representing the Actors’ Federation asked the Chief Secretary, Mr. Bruntnell, to introduce legislation to check the activities of pseudo-thea-trical managers. The deputation said it had the support of all reputable theatrical managers. It instanced numerous cases where young women were induced to leave homo for country centres and foreign countries under the belief that they would be paid remunerative salaries. In many cases they were left stranded, and in some cases, when they were destitute, attempts were made to force them into immorality.

The general secretary of the federation declared that the ca 3 were so numerous that the federation woulld need more money than the Commonwealth Bank held if it responded to every individual appeal from a victimised member.

Another delegate said that something must be done to protect young girls from mushroom managers, who sprung up in the night and faded away in the morning. Mr.- Bruntnell gave a sympathetic reply and promised to introduce legislation at the earliest possible date to deal with the undoubtedly grave evil.