RAIDS AT SPORTS

New Zealand Herald, Volume 79, Issue 24214, 4 March 1942, Page 6

RAIDS AT SPORTS

DOG RACING CROWDS DRASTIC ACTION SUGGESTED LONDON, Mar. 2 In spite of the warning by the Lord Privy Seal, Sir Stafford Cripps, that all luxury spending would have to stop in the interests of a more austere war effort, thousands of people in England attended sporting fixtures at the weekend. Civil and military police raided a crowd of 5000 people at a dog racing meeting at Walthamstow, and another crowd at a boxing tournament at Stoke Newington. Civilians were asked to show their identity cards and soldiers their leave passes. The police took away for questioning a number whose papers were not in order. At the White City, London, 12,000 people watched the dog racing on Saturday night. At least 500 private cars and 50 taxis were parked outside the course. More than 125,000 people attended football matches throughout England at the week-end. The West End's first "austere" week-end lacked nothing in gaiety. Cinemas and restaurants were packed. It is understood that when Parliament reassembles a group of members will ask the Home Secretary, Mr. Herbert Morrison, to: — (1) Introduce a minimum sentence ot fire years' imprisonment for bad "black marketing" offences. (2) Ration almost all foods. (3) Increase the ration of special foods for invalids and children. (4) Ban the importation and sale ol luxury foods. , (5) Serve less food in hotels and more in factory and mine canteens. (6) Fix a maximum of 5s for any restaurant or hotel meal. FREIGHT CHARGES RISE OF SIX PER CENT (Reed. 7.10 p.m.) "WASHINGTON, The Inter-State Commerce Commission to-day authorised rail and watei carriers to increase freight rates by 6 per cent which increase is expected to yield 203,000,000 dollars. The carrier companies had asked for.a 10 pel cent increase. CARELESS TALK ARRESTS IN UNITED STATES ■WASHINGTON, Mar. •2 The United States naval authorities are determined to stop careless talk and have announced arrests among civilians and enlisted men.