Warning To Inciters, Rumourmongers

Northern Advocate, 10 April 1943, Page 2

Warning To Inciters, Rumourmongers

(F.A.) WELLINGTON, This Day. 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 sex or age. was given yesterday by the Commissioner of Police (Mr D. J. Cummings). He also rebuked rumourmongers and referred to a disturbance which had occurred in streets in Wellington a few nights ago. There was certainly a bit of a skirmish, said Mr Cummings. It started inland and was quickly handled by police and by provosts from various fighting services. The crowd was dispersed, but 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. Spreading such rumours should be discouraged at any time but particularly during war. “I do not expect that 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 the armed forces. Similarly, firm action would be taken by services against any of their own men concerned. “C‘n the whole, the conduct of both New Zealand and United States servicemen is excellent and they cause the police very little trouble.”