Alleged Leakage of Information

Manawatu Times, Volume 66, Issue 5, 7 January 1941, Page 6

Alleged Leakage of Information

SHIPS’ MOVEMENTS THOROITGH INVESTIGATION OF STATEMENTS Per Press Association. AUCKLAND, Jan. 6. •*Evci/ one of the statements, no matter how improbable the information may seem, -will be thoroughly investigated,” said the Prime Minister, Mr P. Fraser, to-day, referring to statements concerning the alleged leakage of information relating to shipping movements attributed to people landed in Australia from the island of Emirau, where they were placed by German raiders. , . “Already the Australian authorities have been requested to have the fullest inquiry made from those rescued, ’ Mr Fraser continued. “Statements will be checked and double checked. The naval authorities of both Australia and New Zealand will make a thorough investigation into statements made, and a most searching inquiry will also be made by the police departments of both countries.” Every Possible Precaution. •*The movements of ships trading to and from New Zealand are under the complete control of the naval authorities, and the Government is assured that every possible conceivable precaution has been taken to ensure secrecy of the movements of the ships,” said Mr Fraser. “Statements will be taken in Australia from those who have been rescued, and when those returning to New Zealand arrive here statements made by them will be fully Investigated to see if any weaknesses are apparent. If any person, either foolishly or wilfully, h<?3 said or done anything that was of assistance, or might be of assistance, to the enemy, it will be regarded as the gravest offence, uiid the necessary action will be takenUntil the whole subject is thoroughly investigated, definite conclusions cannoi oe arrived at. No probability, however .emole, will be overlooked." The Prime Minister said with emphasis: “It has to be remembered, however, that one of the most common and destructive forms of Nazi propaganda, is to foment and discrminjfte suspicion among citizens of any country with which they are at war, and people should guard against being made unwitting instruments of this Nazi technique. This must be borne in mind when reported statements of raiders’ officers arc being considered. Efficiency of Services. ■'The efficiency of the respective service authorities in New Zealand will compare with that of any other British Dominion, and the fact that raiders have been active off our shores is no more evidence of leakages of informa* tion to the enemy than the loss of many Australian ships is evidence of any leakage of information from Australia. This r.iso applieo to South Africa and places throughout the world which have lost ships. “At the same time,” continued Mr Fraser, “we cannot afford to take any risks or ignore any p'»ssit ilities. Therefore. whatever information is made available will be sifted minutely, and if any action is necessary it will be : alien promptly and effectively. Naval and military authorities and the Police Department have the fullest powers under the existing law's and regulations to act immediately there is even the slightest suspicion of danger.”