CONCERN IN SYDNEY

Manawatu Standard, Volume LXV, Issue 212, 7 August 1945, Page 5

CONCERN IN SYDNEY

“VIGILANTE” ACTIVITIES. (Special Australian Correspondent.) , SYDNEY, Aug. G.

The violent seizure of houses by “vigilantes” in Melbourne and Sydney raises a problem for tho State Governments. Throats by

“vigilantes” to seize more empty houses in Melbourne suburbs this week are expected to result in the State Cabinet taking a strong line.

The “vigilantes” say they have 50 other empty houses “on the list.” The spokesman for tho “vigilantes,” now said to be 3UOO strong, revealed that an ultimatum had been presented to the Victorian Premier (Mr Dunstan) demanding the passing of legislation within seven days to authorise the seizure of all empty houses in Melbourne and near areas. The “vigilantes” who installed a homeless family in ail apparently vacant house in Hawthorn last Friday night, have deprived a 76-year-old man of his home. He had been in and out of hospital with an injured log ior tho past year and he was recuperating with his sister until he was well enough to return to his own home. A “vigilante” committee, the first in Sydney to help married returned soldiers obtain homes, was formed in the suburb of Auburn yesterday. Tlie provisional committee includes members of the Returned Soldiers League (Auburn branch), the Australian Labour Party and tho Communist Party. The secretary of the committee stated; “We are out to see that justice is done to the men who hit their wives and children to fight for their country.” Tho Returned Soldiers’ League does nob support the action of the vigilantes.” The State president of the League (Air J. C. Neagle) said: We are a law-abiding organisation pledged to be loval to tho Government of the day and we say legal processes should be used. Servicemen should use their rights under the National Secuiity Regulations.” . _ , The National Security Regulations provide that a returned soldier may apply to tho Court for an order against the owner of an empty house to show cause why he should not allow a soldier to occupy it.