YOUNG ACTRESSES

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXI, 12 April 1928, Page 5

YOUNG ACTRESSES

INDUCED TO LEAVE HOME I.EFf STRANDED ACTIVITIES of '■MUSHROOM' ' MANAGERS United Piv-s Association—l)y Elect Bis Telegraph Copyright A list i* i lia u t'i'ess Association t Received 12th April. 8.55 a.m.) SYDNEY. This Day/ A deputation representing the Actors l*'i ili*i*at tun asked the Chief Secretary .to it,t rnJuee legislation to check tlte act ivi-* lies .jf psiiedo-thoatrienl managers. The. deputation said that it had the support. ~f all reputable theatrical managers, an.l instanced numerous cases where voting women bad been induced to leave iiome fie- eountry centres and foreign count ries under tin* belief that, they would be paid remunerative salaries. In i,,anv eases they Were then left stranded, 'ln some eases. when they were destitute, attempts had been made to li ice them into immorality.

The general secretary of the federation declared the eases to he so numerous that tin* federation would need more money than the Commonwealth Bank held it it responded t" every individual appeal fiom victimised members.

Another delegate said that something ~iusi !»• done lu protect young girls from mushroom managers who spring up in ill,- night. l.i. fnilo away in the morning. Mr lirnntnell saw it sympathetic, reply anil promised in introduce legislation at. the earliest dale In ileal .with tin- undoubtedly grave evil. OFFICIAL STATEMENT ?.\ssT'oi:ts me: idly scurriNisFj). SYDNEY, This Day. Commenting on the allege*! exportation hi' girls In the Hast for white slavery purposes (he Collector of Customs said thai it was practically impossible for white slavers to carry their victim's out mi' the country. The Home and Territories Department controlled (he issue of passports, and while ifc had no jurisdiction over girls who became involved with unscrupulous theatrical agents inside the Commonwealth, it had power to prevent their transport to any country outside Australia. When girls applied to go tothe Philippines, the Department required full particulars, and any suspicions-de-tail was rigidly scrutinised. In addition, the Minister for Home Territories recent--ly issued instructions that it was highly undesirable to grant passports in young women proposing to accept theatrical engagements in the East without the most' strict inquiries being marie as to the standing of the applicants and persons or (inn? to whom they were under engagement. ' "