HUGE RACKET UNCOVERED

Manawatu Standard, Volume LXV, Issue 73, 23 February 1945, Page 5

HUGE RACKET UNCOVERED

AUSTRALIA’S BLACK MARKET. ' SYDNEY, Eeb. 22.

An enormous black market covering practically every scarce commodity and extending to other States has been uncovered by- police and Customs officers as u result of recent investigations and arrests, says the Sydney Sun.

The rackets are reaping huge fortunes for the “big men,” who the police say- they see daily driving luxury cars but cannot arrest because of the difficulty of obtaining incriminating evidence. The black marketeers are free with their easy- money, the police add, and it is not unusual foi a man to los© £IOOO in a night’s gambling.

The latest racket disclosed is in stolen and reconditioned cars, the appearance of which is changed so skilfully that they are practically unrecognisable even by their original owners. Since the war the police say black markets have been established for all liquors, petrol, tyres and cars, clothing and footwear, groceries, ration coupons, photographic material and all types of sporting goods. ■ The police say Sydney has become “black-market minded.” The average citizen does not hesitate now to deal on the black market. Many housewives are prepared to pay a little extra for commodities that are hard to obtain. The majority of Sydney’s black market rackets are controlled by former thugs and gangsters, according to the police. These criminals “cashed in” on the liquor racket when Sydney was flooded with servicemen willing to pay any price foi their drink.

“These men seldom figure ope; y in black market deals, and it is difficult to obtain evidence to convict them. We arrest members of the organisations, but the principals covei their activities too well,” said one police officer. Petrol is sold on the black market coupon free at 15s a gallon. A detective in a case before the Court today- said a city shopkeeper admitted paying £IOO for forged clothing ration cards.

Speaking as leader of the Government in the Senate tlie Minister of Customs (Senator Keane) said that in dealing with the liquor black market his department was handicapped by “stupid magistrates who did not seem to realise the gravity of blackmarket offences.”