CARGO PILLAGING

Press, Volume LXXVIII, Issue 23718, 17 August 1942, Page 4

CARGO PILLAGING

AUSTRALIAN LOSSES INCREASE

EXISTENCE OF GANG SUSPECTED

(0.C.) SYDNEY, August 7. Cargo pillaging in Australian ports has become so widespread that the existence of a highly organised gang for collecting and selling the stolen goods is suspected. Impetus has been given to the pillaging by illcessary war-time regulations such as clothes rationing and shortages of tobacco and alcoholic liquors, which’ give rise to “black markets.”

Cargo losses recently include goods vitally needed for the war effort. It is not always clear whether the theft takes place at the port of arrival or port of dispatch. In one instance petrol, was stolen -from drums and replaced by water. Because Australia urgently needs petrpl, the authorities regard this theft ds being very close to a traitorous act. At some ports whole cases of goods have been emptied. Hundreds of others have been broached before they reach their destination. There is evidence that some merchants have become “fences” and are handling stolen cargo through their distributing organisation. The rapidity with which pillaged goods are cleared has led to the conclusion that the “black cargo" ring is highly organised. In Sydney recently 102 empty cartons were lall that was left of a consignment of ‘that number of pairs of shoes, and on the same night four pairs of boots destined for naval stores were also stolen. One company recently paid a claim for £132 - for women’s underwear which had been taken. Several other larger claims have made for clothing, but mostly it is pilfered in small quantities. Women’s pyjamas, corsets, stockings, and table linen disappear in large quantities, and so do men’s clothing, especially 'Overcoats and other gar-, ments which have a high coupon rating. One afternoon 70,000 cigarettes were received on a Sydney wharf to be shipped to retailers. Next morning the empty case which had contained the cigarettes was found floating on the harbour, and later the truck which had been used to take them a why was raised from the sea bed. Among the commonest entries in the claim books of shipping companies are those which record the losses of cigarettes in lots or,"2000, 2000, and 4000. Much tobacco is also lost. Often a whole case disappears. A recent .claim for tobacco missing from a consignment was £304, and it may be mentioned that the total pillaging on that ship cost the company owning it £360. Liquor Stolen

Beer, whisky, gin,' rum,’ and other alcoholic liquors, are taken by the bottle after a case has been “accidentally” broached. Sometimes a-case is missed. A recent cargo- of potatoes from Tasmania was 400 bags short. Potatoes at the time were bringing £1 a bag. - . ■ . Most of the pilfering is done at night when brown-out conditions aid the looters. A considerable number of watchmen are employed, .but they cannot see everything. Moreover, they are often Intimidated and even -• attacked if they appear too interested. Shipping company executives agree that most of the wharf-labourers are honest, but the honest men prefer to keep aloof. They have heard stories of'“bashings” for those who do not fall in with the gangs.

The-position has become so serious that the Federal authorities will ask. the Premiers’ conference in Melbourne next Monday to institute a Common-wealth-wide drive against pillaging. It has been suggested to the Federal Government that pillaging should be regarded as looting, and thus become subject to the heavy penalties prescribed under National Security .Regulations. These are a fine of £IOO or six months’ imprisonment for an offence proved at summary proceedings and an unlimited fine and imprisonment for an offence proceeded against by Indictment. . More police, too, are needed for special work on the wharves. In Sydnew only two detectives are solely occupied with this type of crime. They are hindered, also, by the law, which does not allow them to search a man unless they arrest him. The police suggest that mors care should be taken in giving permits to men engaged on the wharves. Shortage of labour, they say, has caused shipping companies to accept any man offering and too often ’ those employed have criminal records. .