SERVICEMEN BRAWLS

Evening Star, Issue 24476, 10 April 1943, Page 4

SERVICEMEN BRAWLS

RIDICULOUSLY EXAGGERATED STORIES POLICE COMMISSIONER WARNS CIVILIANS (P.A.) WELLINGTON, April 9. A warning that civilians who incited men in the armed forces to fight in the street would be very firmly dealt with by the police, irrespective of their sex or age, was given to-day by the Commissioner of Police, Mr D. J. Cummings. He also 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 &< skirmish," Mr Cummings said. "It was quickly handled- by-, the police and by provosts from the various fighting services. The .crowd was dispersed, but a small crowd gathered again, and in turn was dispersed. Later in the evening auother 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," the'Commissioner added. "The only result of the disturbance was that one New Zealand civiliau 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 that there will bo 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 the armed forces," Mr Cummings concluded. " Similarly firm action will be taken by - the services against any of their own men concerned. On the whole, the conduct of both the New Zealand and United States servicemen is excellent, and they cause the police very little trouble."