MY SECRET SORROW

Southland Times, Issue 23816, 13 May 1939, Page 13

MY SECRET SORROW

By

WHIM-WHAM

The British Official Secrets Act, 1911, is still in operation in New Zealand, and persons are warned against the publication of secret information, no matter how they obtain that information.—The Hon. D. G. Sullivan, in a recent statement.

If I should happen io obtain A Piece of Information By overhearing in the Train My Neighbour’s Conversation, That Knowledge I may not reveal On Pain of Legal Action, However ill I may conceal My Secret Satisfaction.

I overheard a novel Plan To end the Country’s Trouble, By starving every other Man To let the Rest have Double: It seems a harmless little Tale But, Reader, never doubt it, I may be fined or clapped in Gaol For telling you about it.

I keep it dark because, you see, Those Scraps of casual Chatter May break official Secrecy On some important. Matter: 1 dare not tell them to my Wife (O trial for Devotion!) Nor hint them, for my very Life, By Word or Look or Motion

I heard a Man discoursing on His Uncle’s drinking Habits, I heard a Man at Palmerston Deplore the Price of Rabbits: But is it safe? And do I dare Pass on the Information? The Law may seize me by the Hair And take me to the Station,

I keep them under (as they say) My Hat, and sit upon it; Those wretched Secrets buzz away Like Bees inside my Bonnet. My Speech is glad and free no mort My Thoughts are little better, But while the Secrets Act is Law I’ll keep it to the Letter/