STREET FIGHTS
Soldiers Incited By Civilians Warning By Police Commissioner (N.Z.P.A.) WELLINGTON. Apr. 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 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 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 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 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 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.
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Bibliographic details
Timaru Herald, Volume CLIII, Issue 22553, 10 April 1943, Page 4
Word Count
316STREET FIGHTS Timaru Herald, Volume CLIII, Issue 22553, 10 April 1943, Page 4
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