MOB VIOLENCE IN AUSTRALIA.

Auckland Star, Volume LXV, Issue 26, 31 January 1934, Page 6

MOB VIOLENCE IN AUSTRALIA.

The foreign element in Australia is relatively very small, but that its presence is resented by sections of the Australian people is shown by the mob outrages in West Australia reported to-day. This is not the first outbreak of the kind, nor is West Australia the only State in which anti-foreign feeling has been shown. Conditions in these mining towns, however, where there is a more than usual mixture of nationalities, seem to be particularly favourable to the occurrence of such trouble. Apparently this disgraceful attack, which developed into a pitched battle, was directed mainly against Italians. The presence of many Italians in the sugargrowing districts of Queensland has given rise to trouble from time to time. At the census of 1921 there were in Australia 8135 persons who had been born in Italy. Immigration from Italy was fairly heavy at one time, but lately there has been a net loss on the balance of migration. The outbreak in West Australia was caused by the death of an Australian by violence, and the mob, actuated by a spirit that fortunately has been rare in British countries, wreaked vengeance on the whole foreign community. It is noteworthy that the actual wreckers of property are reported to have been mostly youths. This irresponsible type was prominent in the Auckland riots of two years ago. The affair will do Australia harm abroad; it is sad to reflect how much of the news that goes out of that country is bad news. That the vast majority of Australians will deeply regret such an exhibition of lawlessness should go jjyithout saying.