RIVAL GANGS

Evening Star, Issue 25425, 5 March 1945, Page 8

RIVAL GANGS

BLACK MARKET IN MELBOURNE RACKET SHOWS BIG INCREASE Press Association—By Telegraph—-Copyright MELBOURNE, March 2. The police believe that " black market " racketeers are growing more powerful in Melbourne, and rival gangs are operating. An outbreak of gang warfare is feared. Coupons, even ration books, can be purchased at a price—1,000 coupons sell at £25, 'or, bought in lots of 100, they run one shilling each. There is an extensive " black market " in Melbourne for silk stockings, men's shirts pyjamas, shoes, and other rationed clothing. Even some prohibited 'lines—furniture and fodder for stock—are being sold on the " black market." A syndicate is believed to exist in Melbourne for the of bottled beer, whisky, and wine to " black marketeers," who retail it at exorbitant prices from 4s to 5s a bottle for beer, 35s to 60s for whisky, mid 5s to 10s for wine The police have been told that liquor is being taken across the border to Sydney, but so many are involved that they are unable to deal with it. Beer can be bought in Melbourne and delivered to the door for £4 a dozen. Petrol coupons can be purchased openly at 6s each, and tyres can be bought for £6O a pair. QUEENSLAND COMPANY FINED. Convicted on a " black marketing " charge, Fraser Henlein Pty. Ltd., wholesale wine and spirit merchants in Townsville, were to-day fined £2,000 with £lOl costs, and the managing director, Reginald Arthur Crowther, 'was sentenced to four months' imprisonment. The company and Crowther pleaded not guilty to a charge of having sold 38 gallons of wine to an hotelkeeper at a figure which was higher than the fixed maximum price. The Magistrate said the evidence disclosed that Crowther had indulged in a systematic course of " black marketing," and the overcharge shown on a few items amounted to £232. The Magistrate also ordered the firm for the next, three months to exhibit on the front door, in large tvpe. a notice setting out the conviction for " black marketing." An application for a month's time to pay the fine was refused.