¹On June 1st 1940 the Prime Minister Menzies also Minister of
Defence Coordination announced two National Security Regulations; that entry
of persons to enclosed wharves and ships throughout the Commonwealth would be
controlled; to guard ships and cargoes.
Access to wharves
were to be closed to all except holders of special licences and permits. The
Department of Commerce, Marine Branch were empowered to issue the required
licences and permits. Aliens and naturalised British subjects were required to
have licences before they could engage in water-front occupation such as ³port navigation, loading, unloading
and bunkering of ships, docking and ship repairs, the packing of goods intended
for export or transporting export goods from factories and warehouses e.g.
(Broken Hill Associated Smelters). Passes were also required by people carrying
on their ordinary employment on the waterfront.
²In Port Pirie wire-netting fencing
was erected and electric light poles were installed at intervals along the
fenceline by Harbors Board employees. Thus the whole line may be kept under
observation at night to prevent unauthorised persons obtaining access to the area. Some ship owners had their own ‘pass system’ which they used
and demanded production of them at the gangway, so as to further restrict the
entry of unauthorised persons on board ships; who had no employment there.
Watchmen
were sworn in as special constables or Peace Officers and were stationed at
entrances to check passes and in affect, prevent espionage and sabotage.
ʷThe ‘National Security Pass’ regulation was repealed after the end of
World War 2 in September 1945; when troop ships and normal shipping returned.
Some Peace Officers were retained for general oversight and the protection of
Commonwealth property.
Sources:
²https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/96310293
³https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/2527773
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