BITTER RIVALRY

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 66, Issue 267, 23 August 1946, Page 3

BITTER RIVALRY

MELBOURNE AND SYDNEY . CRIMINALS UNDERWORLD CIVIL WAR EXPECTED (Special from C. R. Mentiplay, Representative of N.ZdP.A.) (Rec. 1.30 p.m.) SYDNEY, This Day.

Commercial and civic rivalry between Sydney and Melbourne have their underworld counterpart in the bitter contest which goes on endlessly between organised criminals of the two great cities.

During the last few weeks there has been increasing evidence of the influx of gunmen, bashers and housebreakers into Sydney from Melbourne. Police consorting squads, whose task it is to keep well-known criminals under observation, believe that the men are either fleeing from the consequences of gang warfare in Melbourne, or are attempting to break into Sydney underworld rackets. One notorious Melbourne gangster who the police believe was cutting into territory already controlled by Sydney racketeers, was recently dealt with by them. His decomposing body was found in a vacant allotment where it had been thrown a few hours before, though the murder had obviously been committed over a week preyiously. Two men recently charged with the murder of a detective who was escorting them to headquarters for interrogation were known to the police in Melbourne. After they were first apprehended when visiting women prisoners at Long Bay gaol, a stolen car, with Victorian number plates was found in the vicinity. During the chase which followed, New South Wales,police predicted that the men were in bad standing with the Sydney underworld, and could not expect much assistance from that quarter. They were both captured in circumstances which indicated that they were playing a lone hand.

Protection System

There have been many instances of cars and property stolen in Sydney being driven to Melbourne for disposal, and the reverse is also the case. Recently a fur coat, valued at £450, which had been stolen in Sydney, was recognised by its owner who saw it in a Melbourne shop window". Arrests were made in this case. Detectives say that they are aware that recent arrivals from Melbourne have paid visits to a number of smaller Sydney racketeers and sly-grog shops against whom, they are endeavouring to apply their- own variation of the stand-over or protection system. This is a type of blackmail by threat which has been common in the United States for many years. Melbourne police are also aware of the drift in the criminal population, which they put down! to the fact that the bottom has fallen out of many Melbourne rackets. The resentment of local criminals at this invasion of their preserves may lead to action w'hich will result in civil war in the underworld.