STREET FIGHTING RUMOURS

Press, Volume LXXIX, Issue 23919, 10 April 1943, Page 4

STREET FIGHTING RUMOURS

Warning Given To Civilians STATEMENT BY POLICE COMMISSIONER (P.A.) WELLINGTON, April 9. A warning that civilians who incited men in the armed forces to fight in the street would be firmly dealt with by the police, irrespective of sex or age, whs given to-day by the Commissioner of Police (Mr D. J. Cummings). He rebuked rumour-mongers and referred to a disturbance which occurred in the streets of Wellington a few nights ago. “There was certainly a bit of a skirmish," said Mr Cummings. . It started in a lane and was quickly handled by the police and by provosts from the various fighting services. The crowd was dispersed bflt a small crowd gathered again and in turn was dispersed. Later in the evening another little group started an argument, and was dispersed. , "There was not a single person injured, much less taken to hospital or killed, as rumour has it, ’ said the Commissioner. “The only result of the disturbance was that one New Zealand civilian was arrested and dealt with by the Court, and one New Zealand serviceman was arrested and dealt with by his own officers. No United States servicemen were arrested or charged.” The Commissioner said he could not understand how such rumours as he had heard had begun. Some appeared to have grown as they went round. The spreading of such rumours should be discouraged at any time, but particularly during the war. "I do not expect there will be any repetition of the affair, but if there should be we are going to deal very firmly with civilians, no matter what their sex .or age, who. cause trouble between members of armed forces, he said. “Similarly, firm action will be taken by the services against any ot their own men concerned. On the whole the conduct of both New Zealand and United States servicemen is excellent and they cause the police very little trouble."