A GRAVE EVIL

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 48, Issue 155, 12 April 1928, Page 5

A GRAVE EVIL

VICTIMISING WOMEN. PSEUDO-THEATRICAL MANAGERS ALLEGATIONS IN SYDNEY. (United Press Association—Copyright). (Received Tins Day, 8.55 a.m.) SYDNEY, This Day. A deputation representing the Actors' Federation asked the Chief Secretary (Mr Bruntnell) to introduce legislation to check the activities of pseudo-theatrical managers. The deputation said it had the support of all reputable theatrical managers. The speakers instanced numerous cases where young women had' been induced to leave home for country centres, and even 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 had been made to force them into immorality. The general secretary of the hederation declared that the cases were so numerous that the Federation would need more money than the Commonwealth Bank held if it responded to every individual appeal from victimised members.

Another delegate said that something must be done to protect young girls from " mushroom" managers, who spring up in a night and fade away in the morning. Mr Bruntnell £ave a sympathies reply. He promised to introduce legislation at the earliest possible date to deal with an undoubted grave evil. — Australian Press Association.

THE MATTER OF PASSPORTS. STRICT INQUIRIES MADE. (Received This Day, 10.35 a.m.) SYDNEY, This Day. Commenting on the alleged exportation of girls, 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 bad power to prevent their transport to any country outside ' Australia. When the girls applied to go to the Phillippines the Department, required full particulars, and any suspicious detail was rigidly scrutinised. In addition, the Minister for Home Territories recently issued instructions that it was highly undesirable to grant passports' to young women proposing to accept theatrical engagement 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. — Australian Press Association. ,