RACKETEERING IN BRITAIN

Hawera Star, Volume LI, 11 June 1932, Page 14

RACKETEERING IN BRITAIN

YARD yvere lately asked to investigate what apepars to be the first case ox “racketeering” in Britain.

The racketeer is an American creation. 'He offers to “protect” businesses and private individuals in return for money. The offer, of course, is really a threat.

James E, Heville, a director of a firm of beauty specialists' in Knightsbfidge, told an “Evening Hews” correspondent that he had received the following document by post: A Point or Two of Interest. 1. Persons employed in a minor capacity at chemists, druggists, etc., are rgrely overpaid, but they have access to stock rooms! 2. Business is (especially yours) a “survival of the fittest.” Rival firms would welcome an opportunity to do you a serious (business) injury. The quality of. your goods must be like Caesar’s wife—above suspicion. ■3.' You commodities can be sold in the normal way—after receiving a slight alteration. To all outward appearances they would be safe.

Scotland Yard Asked to Investigate

The aforementioned points are food for thought. (A demand is here made for subscription to (our Public Safety Fund.”) iWe wish to point out to you that “non-subscribers” have the privilege of becoming our advertisement to those who hesitate! Bearing in mind the importance of the service we offer, the subscription is naturally high. This, of course, is outset by our large staff. We .cover a large area, and we pay well.

Our charge is £25 per calendar month Our first instalment is due on Monday, March 7, M 32. You are notified in regard to address, etc.

H.B.—Failure to hear from you will mean that the paragraph about nonsubscribers will hold a bigger and more “intimate” interest FOR YOU! The document was handed to Scotland Yard. The letter containing it was posted at Brighton.