WHITE SLAVE TRAFFIC

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume LXXXIII, Issue 20104, 24 March 1928, Page 14 (Supplement)

WHITE SLAVE TRAFFIC

POLICE FEARS IN SYDNEY. Are agents of a white slave organisation operating again in Sydney? Fears are entertained by police officials, who are alarmed at the number of girls and young women who set out from their homes, ostensibly to work in the city ami disappear. Many young women have been reported missing in the last few months. The position has become so serious taat the Commissioner of Police (Air Mitchell) has specially ordered detectives to assist Sergeant Armfield, head of the women police, in hef investiga-

Whcn a girl is reported as missing, a mother will tell the police that her ■ laughter is employed at a big warehouse or factory in the city.

i Yet when detectives make inquiries, at the address given, they invariably i find that the girl has not worked there, lor has left the employ of the firm long I before her disappearance. Recently two young girls disappeared. When the police macle inquiries at a factory where they were supposed to be working, they were told that after two days both girls had pleaded illness and were allowed to go home. That was weeks before their disappearance. Detectives ascertained that each girl had brought home wages regularly in the intervening weeks, had departed for “work” at a regular hour, and had returned home in the evening at the usual time. Yet it was definitely established that they had not been working, but had been seen round the city with a man who is listed at Police headquarters as a “doubtful character.”

Many of the girls have not been found. Others have been rescued in

time by the prompt action of their parents in notifying the police. Only recently Singleton police detained a young girl who was en route to Brisbane.

At present about six girls have, not been accounted for. In the case of Kathleen Reedy, death is presumed to have claimed her. But the others arc causing the police grave concern. A typist in an office in Martin Place set out a month ago for “Work” and has not been heard of since.