RAZOR GANGS CLASH.

Grey River Argus, 15 December 1928, Page 1 (Supplement)

RAZOR GANGS CLASH.

LIGHT ON SYDNEY’S UNDERWORLD. SOLICITORS’ UNIQUE EXPERIENCE. ( visit to Flemington for thc Melbourne Cup was not the only recreation of Mr D. Solomon,-of Dunedin, and Mr M. Mitchell, of Invercargill, two solicitors, who returned to the Dominion recently. After the races were over they paid a visit to Sydney, where investigations into the operations of the razor gangs occupied portion of their holiday time.

“We had a unique opportunity of meeting members of the razor gangs and observing the sequels to their outrages,” said Mr Solomon..

“After attending the trial of on° notorious character who was sentenced to imprisonment for five years, we were taken through the gaols and

shown many of the men who were concerned in the gang fights.’’ Though the faces of thc men were cut and slashed, and many carried old scars that were mute evidence of previ ous encounters, many of these razor gangsters were presentable mem decently dressed, and of comparatively polished manner. The criminal who stood in the dock during the case the New Zealanders attended seemed a quiet enough citizen. During a prowl through Sydney’s underworld Mr Solomon was introduced to a notorious gang leader —a powerful criminal personality who was a personal friend of the late “Squissy” Taylor., a dangerous Australian gunman.

“Over a glass of beer this man told me that the money aspect was not always the root cause of the war against society that was carried on by the bigger men in the underworld.’' he said. “He admitted that class-hat-red was at the bottom of a great deal of it. In many cases the gangsters fight, with each other—it is a ease of diamond cut diamond —but their activities extend further when fostered by the feeling that they are being looked down on and described as thc * slum-dwellers ’ and 1 lower classes, “Many of the gangsters have plenty of money —more money than the average law-abiding citizen —but class hatred spurs them on and causes a great deal of the criminal trouble existing in Australia to-day.’’ Botli visitors were impressed with the rapid system in vogue in the Au? tralian Courts and the consequent lacking of the dignity and careful thoroughness of the .judicial system in New Zealand. They remarked that I the more powerful criminal elemen. I appeared to hav. plenty of money ba 1 hind it. “There is a’< 0 evidence of intinu elation of wil’ies-c?.’’ added Mr Solo-

mon. “Many witnesses in the case we heard seemed frightened lc speak, and tho proceedings weie hampered tor this reason.”

NICELY, THANKS. Binks was . a chronic borrower IT? had exhausted all his friends, and one day he tackled a more acquaintance, Brown, outside the latter’s home. “Excuse me,” began Einks, diffidently, “but I find I’ve come away without any money. Can you lend me a pound?” “I’m sorry, but I Laven’t ono witii me.” said Brown. “And at hr-u.c?” queried Bi-iks, 6 ope fully “All very well, thanks,’ murmured Brown.