Controlling Sydney’s Hooligans

Manawatu Times, Volume 70, Issue 192, 15 August 1945, Page 5

Controlling Sydney’s Hooligans

QUEENSLAND HAS HAD ITS PEACE CELEBRATIONS SYDNEY, August 14. The crowds who have been prematurely celebrating peace in Sydney's streets every night since Friday were noisy but much better behaved last night. The hooliganism, which reached its peak in the boisterous revels in Martin Place on Sunday night, was little in evidence. This is thought to be due to a wave of resentment at the desecration of the Cenotaph on Sunday and the warning that the police, substantially reinforced, would drastically check behaviour exceeding reasonable bounds. The police took no chances in Sydney last night. Although the crowds were in a less boisterous mood every street corner had its group of staid, blue-clad figures. A military guard and voluntary action by returned soldiers will protect the Cenotaph from desecration during the peace celebrations. Sydney City Council officials state that arrangements have been made with the Army authorities for the Cenotaph to be guarded from the night of the peace announcement until the end of the celebrations. Brisbane yesterday officially celebrated peace. The State Government last week-end authorised yesterday’s victory celebrations. From noon until dusk tens of thousands of people crowded the city streets celebrating. The highlight of the day was a victory parade by Australian, British, American and Dutch servicemen and women and ex-servicemen of this, the last and the Boer Wars.

Perth went mad yesterday because of the spreading of the report that Japan had accepted the Allied peace terms. People shrieked, threw paper, banged cans, cheered, laughed and cried.