RUMOUR SPREADING

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXVIII, Issue 20569, 31 May 1941, Page 9

RUMOUR SPREADING

WARNING BY MINISTER REPREHENSIBLE PRACTICE CASUALTIES TO TROOPS (Per Press Association.) WELLINGTON, this day. “It appears to be necessary to warn the public not to listen to or accept rumours in regard to casualties,” stated the Minister of Defence, the Hon. F. Jones, to-day; “nor should they lend credence to exaggerated reports as to 'the mature of the number of casualties. Irresponsible repetition of idle gossip ts reprehensible, as is deliberate rumour-spreading, and should be dealt with as such in the public interest.” It should be clearly understood that such gossip and the spreading of rumours, tending as it did to upset the fefelings of next-of-kin, was destructive to the public morale and subversive of the war effort.

In every case, said Mr. Jones, “all the information at the disposal of the authorities in New Zealand was furnished to the next-of-kin by telegram immediately on receipt. The next-of-kin also were notified in the same manner as progress reports came to hand. For instance, the removal of a casualty from one category—such as seriously wounded —would be notified by telegram immediately advice was received by the New Zealand authorities.

The categories in which the casualties were listed were four, namely: Slightly wounded, remaining with unit; wounded in action; seriously wounded, and dangerously wounded. Whilst it was not possible to determine the precise nature of. the wounds from these designations, they were a reasonable indication as to their gravity. “The notification of casualties to the next-of-kin follows the War Office practice in Britain,” Mr. Jones continued. “The Government realises the feelings of the next-of-kin of our boys overseas and every possible step to relieve the anxiety is being taken. Notification of every casualty and progress reports are made to the next-of-kin at the earliest possible moment after the cable messages reach the Dominion.” _____