POLICE WARNING TO CIVILIANS
Inciting Soldiers To Fight In Street
(P.A.) WELLINGTON, April 9. A warning that civilians who incited men in the armed forces to fight in the street would be very firmly dealt with by the nolice, irrespective of sex or age, was given today 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 started in a lane and was quickly handled by the police and by provosts from the 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. The spreading of such rumours shotild be 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 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 will be taken by the service s 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.”
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Bibliographic details
Southland Times, Issue 25025, 10 April 1943, Page 4
Word Count
321POLICE WARNING TO CIVILIANS Southland Times, Issue 25025, 10 April 1943, Page 4
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