DAME RUMOUR HAS IT!

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 4, Issue 304, 12 May 1941, Page 4

DAME RUMOUR HAS IT!

THE release of the first New Zealand casualty lists by the Military Authorities, has produced in Whakatane a vicious type of person who delights in spreading false rumours regarding- the well-being of several of the local men who are away. The despicable practice has brought about more mental suffering and anxiety in the homes of the men concerned than the perpetrators in their thoughtless gossip can ever hope to realise. The strain of waiting is hard enough for wives, mothers and sweethearts, without the additional torture of the heartless rumour-monger. Somebody, somewhere deliberately circulates these stories without thought or sympathy. Their suggestion is topical being uppermost in the public mind, and anxious enquiries by those genuinely concerned soon have the: effect of letting the whole town know. In almost every case the homes immediately concerned are the last to hear of it, and in the complete absence of any official communication the mental distraction can better be imagined than described. The whole unhappy business has but one source, and that is the rumour-monger whose reptilian tactics, leave him or her safe behind the anonymous cloud of their own making. To discover their identity and to publicly expose their nefarious activities is the duty of every decent-minded citizen. How can we tolerate a position which brings so much persecution and silent suffering upon the most patriotic persons in our midst® Let us hunt them out and give them the lie direct. Once the rumour has been laundied it is only natural that friends and others genuinely interested will make enquiries by approaching the homes of the men concerned, and thus the circle is made and the work of the hypocrite behind the scenes completed. Whakatane has suffered its first war bereavement. It becomes us now rather to stand by those whose husbands, brothers anci sons are overseas and see to it that they are not senselessly persecuted in this manner. Believe nothing until it is shown in black and white. Hand on nothing unless it is absolutely substantial to the hilt and-above all don't rush heedlessly to the homes of absent soldiers with tactless enquiries or stupid assertions.