PEACE OFFICERS.

Press, Volume LXVIII, Issue 20551, 20 May 1932, Page 11

PEACE OFFICERS.

PROTECTION OF CANBERRA. i CALL FOR SPECIAL MEN. CANBERRA, May 12. Immediate steps are being taken by tho Federal Government, through tho Chief of rolice (Mr Jones), to recruit a special body of Commonwealth peace officers to protect the .national capital in the event of any civil disturbances occurring: ■ - ■ Tho special officers will be appointed under the provisions of the Peaco Officers Act of 1925, which, it is expected, will be invoked by the Government this week. ' Tho vulnerability of Canberra is recognised by the Ministry. Its police, forco consists of only a dozen men who, in the event of any serious trouble, would easily bo outnumbered. Further, tho Federal capital is in an extremely isolated position. Seven miles away, at Qucanbeyan, there is only a small police force, whilo at Yass, 37 miles to the west, and not connected by rail with Canberra, is a similar number. Apart from theso two placcß there is. only Goulburn, 68 miJes to the north. While no actual threat of trouble has been made, it is recognised that no timo should bo lost, in view of the present state of affairs, in seeing that the capital is adequately safeguarded, and for this reason some hundreds of local residents will be prevailed upon to act as volunteers. It is not proposed, for the present at any rate, to arm them with any other weapons other than batons. It is merely th«S desire for protection that is actuating tho Government to equip itself with a force which could bo called up at a moments notice. • ' ~ Mr Jones has already begun his canvass for special men, arid his first approaches have been made to ex-students of tile Royal Military College, Duntroon. A number of these young men were given employment in the Commonwealth Public Service, when Duntroon Collogo eighteen monthß ago was removed to Sydney. It is possible that the Government deeply regrets the closing of the college, for had it been still at Duntroon, only four miles from Parliament House, tho Government would have been able to rely upon a large force of trained, armed, and capable men. Possibility of InvasionWhile the possibility of an invasion by members of an illegal organisation is not contemplated, strategists, nevertholes*, point out 311st bow easily Canberra could be taken by forco, even if only for a few hours. But in those few hours much could be done to create endless confusion and possibly irretrievable damage to valuable records and documents in Government departments and at Federal Parliament House. It would be possible for an invading force to reach Canberra m five hours by fast motor-cars from Sydney, and for them to take possession of Parliament House before an alarm could be given. Bv disconnecting telephones and disabling Canberra's only broadcasting station, the invaders would be free from interference, and in the few hours at their disposal they could ransack the most important offices. Their exit could be made before Canberra officials were aware of what had taken place. It is to prepare for such an emergencv that the special police are being sworn in. Already the Prime Minister has taken the precaution or. having a police guard at his residence 1 during tho night. . . . ' An anonvmous letter threateninc his , life has been received bv the Prime • Minister (Mr J- A. Lyons) .The com ■ immication win si en cd "Gunman. 1 who remarked that "ho hart shot b..t- . ter _ than vou and Bruce.

UNDESIRABLE PERSONS DEPORTATION FROM AUSTRALIA. CANBERRA, May 19. Senator Sir George Pearce told the Senate that since the Lyons Government took office 53 persons had l>«n dQportcd from the Commonwealth. Ot these 14 had criminal records, and 15 were prohibited immigrants.