FALSE WAR NEWS

Evening Post, Volume LXXXVIII, Issue 48, 25 August 1914, Page 8

FALSE WAR NEWS

MUST NOT BE PROPAGATED OFFENDER BEFORE THE COURT.

On Saturday last the following notice appeared on the window of a tobacconist's shop in Mercer-slreet : — ' War News, : Great naval engage- ■ ment in the North Sea. Ten German warships sunk, and five British warships, including H.M.S. Collingwood on which the King's second son is reported among the casualties. This caused a mild sensation, and a. number of people gathered round to read it. Some went away and informed others, aoid very soon the news "was spread over the city. NoWj the promulgation of such false news is a breach against the laws of the country. Section 12, subsection H. of the Justice of the Peace Act, states that sureties for good behaviour can be applied for "where, in tinte of war or public danger, the person from whom surety is sought knowingly propagates false news to the obstruction of the Government of New Zealand or the alarm of His Majesty's subjects." Acting under these powers, the police prayed, in the Magistrate's Court to-day, for sureties against Gilbert Henry Price, who, it was alleged, had published the notice printed above. Price was represented by Mr. W. Perry, and admitted the offence. "But," said Mr. Perry,- "I thiuk that if we contested the matter the police would have difficulty in proving the kernel of the offence that the news was propagated 'knowingly.' The- defendant states that the information was given him by a.n officer off some ship in port, who stated that a wireless , operator had intercepted a message." . Inspector Hendrey gave it a® his opinion that the notice was placed in the window simply for the purpose of attracting custom. Price was under no obligation to put such news in his window. The police had evidence to prove that this particular notice had caused a certain amount of alarm. Several people challenged the accuracy of the statements, and when it was proved to the r defendant that they could not possibly be true he removed them. "I want the public to know," .said the Inspector, "that the police ; are going to ask for very heavy sureties indeed whenever it can be proved that a person has promulgated ' false war newe. Nobody knows what effect such false information will have' on the public. Think of the poor mother who may have had a son on board the Collingwood, for instance. We are going to do all we can to put a stop to the circulation of these canards. All sorts of ridiculous notices are appearing on the windows of catch-penny traders — notices with big scare headings, such as this," concluded the Inspector as he handed up a foolish skit on the war situation. Mr. D. G. A. Cooper, S.M., said he thought that defendant's action was utterly careless and regardless of possibilities. He hoped that defendant had been taught a lesson. Under the circumstances he would order Pfice to enter into a small recognisance of £50, with two sureties of £25, that he will keep the peace for twelve months. Defendant was also ordered' to, pay 18s costs. Mr. Cooper promised to require heavier sureties in any further similar oases brought before him.