RUMOUR MONGERS

Auckland Star, Volume LXXI, Issue 153, 29 June 1940, Page 5 (Supplement)

RUMOUR MONGERS

QmeUmg Mischief Makers Taahersnikai: Camp to? not ■without i®6 chronic moaners. alarmists and ramour-m, especially re Iflli,. Trh?j; the troops were either fighting or were on their way across the seas. While the rumours were more or less discredited they mused a terrible lot -of harm. The gentry responsible were becoming a re.i' dosser. Private Wooden Cains and <ruit" a few other troops -were fed up with their talk and decided to take the matter into their own hands. This little band known to any column nor did it have a name. "When a rumour of any serious nature was started these hoys -would do their best to discredit the statement? and -would not stop sat » good fight. This bring? to mind one of the biggest rumours thai ■was ever started a; Tanherenikau. It wk approach rtu: Christmas, Ift 15. and the troops were looking- forward to leave. Some bright -way started the yarn that all leave was to be cancelled. The Tumour jrrew so strong- that representations were made "to the C-tX, who, in turn, made inquiries at headquarter.-.. The trouble -spread and some of the hot heads threatened to set fire to the camp. Things g-ot so bad that the authorities issued orders that if the troops did not behave and listen to reason Christmas leave would certainly be cancelled. So things went from had to worse. Protest parades were held until headquarters sent up word that leave would be .granted. Chips finished up with a couple of black eyes. but. amid laughs and;jeers, he affirmed that he had settled a couple of Tumour -mongers to -such an extent that leave for them would be a -second consideration. Chips did not apply for leave. He had never experienced a Christmas in camp so thought he would like to try it out. Although general leave was granted a certain number had to remain behind. This is -where the patriotic institutions come in with their splendid work. They took charge of the cookhouses and prepared the Christina? dinner. They distributed parcels containing cigarettes, tobacco, sweets, etc. They organised frames for the afternoon and provided prizes for the winners of races, etc. Last but not least of all the good things the troops had thai Christmas were paid for by the money that the citizens of New Zealand so freely gave. We hear some foolish people asking "Where does the money go?" To those people I -say uk the ex-servicemen. UFTIE.