WAR DAMAGE RISKS

Greymouth Evening Star, 23 May 1942, Page 7

WAR DAMAGE RISKS

LOOTING NOT COVERED. SYDNEY. May 13. Loss or damage by looting, except by the enemy, is not covered by the Australian Government's war-dam-age insurance scheme. Damage caused under a ’’scorched-earth'’ policy by the army or at the army's direction is fully covered. The secretary of the War Damage Commission. Mr. Warburton, exnlained this week- that lootin" which had already occurred at an Australian port, was not classed as war damage. Looting by natives in Australian territories outside the mainland, now

: occupied by the enemy, was not covered. Mr. Warburton said that, in occupied territories, every effort would be made after the war io determine 'now much damage had been caused by the enemy and how much by looters. Compensation would be paid for all damage by the enemy. Mr. C. A. M. Adelskold, an accountant from Wau, New Guinea, said that former residents of that territory were dissatisfied with the provisions of the war-damage insurance scheme. “Native police boys were responsible lor much looting in evacuated areas in Now Guinea,” he said. “They not only steal, but wreck the places. That’s their idea of a good time.”