HEALTH OF TROOPS

Evening Star, Issue 23526, 15 March 1940, Page 4

HEALTH OF TROOPS

STUPID RUMOURS DISCREDITED MINISTER “ SCOTCHES ” WHISPERING CAMPAIGN MEN IN EXCELLENT CONDITION A strong denial of rumours that a high percentage of the men of the first echelon are being returned to New Zealand as medically unfit was given by the Minister of Defence (Hon. F. Jones) in an interview yesterday. The statements, which were entirely false, were evidently part of a planned whispering campaign, the Minister said. Fortunately, it was possible to state, on the authority of Major-general Freyberg, that the troops in Egypt were in the best of health.

“ The rumour-mongers are whispering that the number of men- being returned to New Zealand as medically unfit has reached alarmingly high figures,” the Minister said, “ ahd I, therefore, hasten to deny these statements, which seem to be circulated deliberately with the object of causing pqblie concern. Individuals who spread rumours of this nature are beneath contempt, .and I would ask the people of New Zealand in all sincerity to decline to listen to any such statements, which evidently emanate as part of a planned whispering campaign.” WARNING TO PUBLIC. Mr Jones said he felt sure the public would take warning should any similarly contemptible methods be used in the future. In actual fact, the number of men invalided out of the first echelon through sickness or normal causes' was remarkably small, and he had been advised by the Director-Gene-ral of Medical Services, Colonel F. T. Bowerbank, that the percentage of sickness was considerably below that normally provided for in the Amy, and, indeed, was also below the raito operating in civil life. “ In order to reassure the people of New Zealand concerning the > health of their relatives and friends now in Egypt,” the Minister said, “ I cabled General Freyberg stating that the rumour I have mentioned was being circulated. His reply reads-as follows: — ‘ Rumour absolutely without foundation. Health of troops excellent.’

“ It is honed,” Mr Jones said in conclusion, “ that those responsible for originating And circulating the rumour will appreciate the fact that they fully deserve the contempt of every decentminded citizen of this country,”