MANY INTERNED.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 60, Issue 210, 13 June 1940, Page 5

MANY INTERNED.

ITALIANS IN AUSTRALIA. ! POLICE AND MILITARY ACTIVE. SYDNEY, June 12. i The round-up of Italian nationals in all the Australian States was continued to-day, and it is understood, that.,, at least 2000 males of military age or holding Fascist - Sympathies ; have already been interned. About 5000 await .examination by the- military authorities. . The chief Italian colonies are located in the Queensland cane-fields, - the Griffith and Leeton irrigation areas ;in southern New South Wales and the Werribee and Sheppai’ton districts d-f Victoria.

The apprehension of Italians oil .the sugar plantations in Queensland has led to an awkward situation, for canecutting is in full swing. A report from Brisbane to-day, however, states that ample labour is likely.to be forthcoming when the Commonwealth drive against aliens is completed. ■ a The" Prime Minister of Australia (Mr R. G. Menzies) announced in Melbourne yesterday that a Commonwealth Gazette had been issued containing Italy’s declaration of war on Britain, which automatically involved Australia. Months of preparation by the Army Intelligence proved of value at 9 a.m., when, within one minute of Italy’s actual entry into the war, military officers and special police entered hundreds of Melbourne homes, restaurants and shops, and rounded up Italians'. Many were allowed to return to their homes, but all suspected of subversive intentions. were rushed to internment, camps in special lorries. Greek shops were issued with special posters proclaiming their -nationality. Squads of police were posted to prevent rioting.

-Unimportant brawls in Melbourne and the suburbs were quelled quickly by the police, who were prepared for such an emergency. ,

One Italian club, noted for its Fascist .tendencies, was seized and the officials interned. ■ ’

Cafes-and Shops Closed

A military order issued yesterday afternoon empowered the police, to close all refreshment cafes and shops ; conducted by enemy aliens in New South Wales and other parts of'Australia. Police, in fast cars, rushed to all parts of the city and completely covered-the windows of the shops with posters, which read “Closed by Commonwealth Authority.” The windows of some Italian shops had already been broken, in spite of the appeal by the Prime Minister to the community to respect the rights of naturalised Italians.

! Unnaturalised Italians in Australia at the end of last year numbered 22,710, since when less than 1000 have become naturalised, thus leaving about 20,000 liable to internment, of whom 15,000 are males. A large proportion are Italian reservists. About 200 Sydney University students yesterday attempted to march to the Italian Consulate, hut the police intercepted the procession and . per-; suaded the students to retrace their steps. The students indulged in catcalls, booing, and a considerable display of'Anti-Fascist slogans/ *

The offices in Australia of the Italian Shipping Line have been taken over by the Government officials. . The Postmaster - General (Mr H. V. Thorby) lias decreed that all telephone conversations in Australia must in future be in English. It is understood that the main idea is to ban trunk line conversations in Italian with Northern Queensland, where hundreds of Italians are engaged in cane-growing.

MANY FIREARMS SEIZED. SYDNEY, This Day. In the greatest round-up of aliens in Australia’s history, Italians wore taken into custody throughout Australia. Many firearms and Fascist literature were seized. Very many of the shops in New South Wales conducted by unnaturalised ilalians have been closed.