RUMOURS DENIED

New Zealand Herald, Volume 80, Issue 24555, 10 April 1943, Page 6

RUMOURS DENIED

STREET DISTURBANCE CIVILIANS WARNED FIRM ACTION NECESSARY (P.A.) WELLINGTON, Friday A warning that civilians who incited men in the armed forces to fight in the street would bo very firmly dealt with by the police, irrespective of sex or age was given to-day by the Commissioner of Police, Mr. D. J. Cummings. He also rebuked rumourmongers and referred to a disturbance which occurred in the streets of Wellington a few nights ago. There was certainly a bit of a skirmish, said Mr. Cummings. It was quickly handled by the 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 Now Zealand civilian was arrested and dealt with by the court and one New Zealand serviceman 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 rumour as he had heard had begun. Some appeared to have grown as they went round. The spreading of such rumours should bo discouraged at any time, but particularly during the war. "I do not expect there will be any repetition of the affair, but if there should bo 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 lie taken by the services against any of their own men concerned. On the whole the conduct of both New Zealand and United States servicemen is excellent and they 'cause the police very little trouble."