HOMELAND AFFAIRS

Greymouth Evening Star, 11 December 1945, Page 5

HOMELAND AFFAIRS

POLICE CAMPAIGN. LONDON, December 9. Scotland Yard, the provincial police, and British Allied Provost Marshals have planned a vast drive to round up deserters, of whom there are nearly 9000, including about 500 Americans and 100 Poles at large, reports the “Daily Telegraph.” This is the first step in a campaign to combat one of the gravest outbreaks of gangsterism since World War One. Two more armed hold-ups and theft of £4OOO in jewels and money are among the crimes reported to the Yard during the week-end. Jewellery valued at almost £lOO,OOO has been stolen since October 10 in the London area alone, with many cases of violence. Scotland Yard chiefs aie reported to have decided, during a four hours’ conference yesterday, to suspend leave for Scotland Yard' men. Most of London’s 1000 detectives are on almost continuous duty over the week-end, ready to assist local divisions. DOCK STRIKE AVERTED. (Rec. 12.55 p.m.) LONDON, December 10. It is believed a further dock strike was averted by representatives of the employers and employees’ acceptance of the committee’s report recommending a wage increase of from 16/- to 19/- daily, says the Press Association. The increase is 1/more than the employers’ recenv offer, but 6/- less than the Trade Unions demanded. CHEMICAL WORKS. LONDON, December 10. The Imperial Chemical Industries announced a ten million sterling development scheme which is described as the greatest single industrial project launched by British industries. The 1.C.1. bought over .five square miles near Middlesbrough to develop over the next five years, for large-scale production of heavy organic chemicals from oil or coal. There will be installations for production of sulphuric acid, an electrolytic chlorine, and caustic-soda plant, and also a vacuum salt plant. The project is expected to employ 10,000 persons. *