CLUBS IN MELBOURNE

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXVI, Issue 23401, 18 July 1939, Page 16

CLUBS IN MELBOURNE

MANY CRIMINAL HABITUES DRASTIC CONTROL PLANNED [from our own correspondent] MELBOURNE, July 10 Police will have drastic powers to control so-.called clubs, conducated by foreigners in Melbourne, if the State Parliament approves a legislative proposal which the Cabinet decided this week to introduce in the present session of Parliament. The Chief Secretary, Mr. H. S. Bailey, presented to the Cabinet a report by the Chief Commissioner of Police, Mr. A. M. Duncan, in which it was stated that many clubs had sprung up in Melbourne in recent years and had become meeting places for criminals and training grounds for crime, immorality and every other vice. Mr. Duncan said typical club premises consisted of a. large room on the upper tloor of a warehouse, shop or factory. Steel doors were fitted at the entrance,, and were guarded bv a lookout, colloquially known as "The Crow," who watched for the police and decided who should and who should not .be admitted. Ostensibly the premises were used for harmless social activities, such as dancing and billiards, added Mr. Duncan. in reality they were used for unlawful gambling, sly-grog and deleterious drug selling. Beer and other liquor were sold by the proprietors. Men and women in all- stages of drunkenness were to be seen drinking, dancing'and mauling each other. Mr. Duncan said the police had strong grounds for suspecting that manV of the organised crimes committed in the city and suburbs, were hatched in these clubs by their criminal habitues.