Razor Gangs

Manawatu Times, Volume LIV, Issue 6844, 23 February 1929, Page 13

Razor Gangs

Woman Directs A ttack SYDNEY ASSAULTS A woman is behind many of the razor-slashing episodes that take place in Sydney. Underworld brawls have as the directing figure this mysterious woman, whose power is known and is respected, says the Sydney "Guardian.”

Many months ago a man insulted her. Soon afterwards he was shot and taken to hospital, in danger of his life. For a time there was a chance he might give evidence against the man responsible, who was "in smoke.” of course. When it had been arranged that no identification would be made, that man showed himself until he was arrested. The court case came to nothing.

"Markina" Him Lloyd, one of the men injured, was slashed from eye to chin recently. Rumour had it that a woman was responsible for that—a woman who had quarrelled with him and expressed her determination to "mark him.” He refused to discuss it with the police.

More recently still there have been rumours of trouble for him from another source, behind which stood a woman much feared by her enemies. It was never anticipated that she would take an active hand in the reprisals she threatened for certain ac tions.

But Lloyd was attacked, with another man, and now bears further scars which he said he got when he fell down in the street. Merely an excuse to avoid police interrogation. Where a determined woman threatens trouble in those circles, there is sure to bo trouble.

Question In Parliament The outbreak of the razor gang in Sydney had an echo in the State Assembly when Mr. Kilpatrick asked the Minister of Justice to take action. "Will the Minister bring in a lav:,” he asked, “which will provide that people who do not give information to the detective force can be put behind the bars until such information is given?” The Minister, Mr. Lee, said that no question could be answered while a censure motion was before the House.