FALSE ALARMS.

Wellington Independent, Volume XXVI, Issue 3096, 10 January 1871, Page 3

FALSE ALARMS.

to the editor op the independent. Sir, — I observe thafc reports of the most disastrous events are continually coming from the North. I take a different view from the citizens generally, and instead of thinking tbat danger is imminent I consider thafc ifc ia less to bo apprehended when these reports are circulated, than when fchey are nofc. Bub notwithstanding this, I hold with the principle, thafc to secure peace we ought to be prepared for war. It ia an olddodge tbis, of circulating reporta of the most direful events thafc never occurr. If the persons'who concocted the reports imagined for one moment that they wore likely to turn out correct, they would be the last persons in the colony to circulate them. Ifc is the Government expenditure thafc they are looking after, and if they oan secure that, ab the cost of circulating false reports, what care they ? Itis not tho first time that thia hae been done. At one time, when the troops were removed to Taranaki, a report was circulated in Auckland, and it was the means of bringing 400 of them back. Of course they were not required ; bub whab did that signify so long as the concoctors of it fattened upon the Government expenditure. We have now had two alarming reports, one that forty-nine persons had been slaughtered, and fche telegraphist at Alexandra ; and the otber, that there was a threatened general rising of the Maoris in the Waikato. Perhaps the wish is father to the thought, so far as the telegraphist; is concerned, as that individual is enabled so quickly to disabuse the public mind of the false rumors set afloat by these disinterested creatures. I suppose tbey will bave succeeded in maßßing tbe Armed Constabulary in the vicinity of the places whore the reports originatod, and tbat they will enjoy what Government expenditure may be occasioned thereby ; bufc I would venture to point oufc fche incalculable harm tbey do to the colony — independent of harrowing the feelings of the colonists, — in preventing immigration to these shores, and seriously affeoting the . money market in the mother country. . Tho Government should take' this matter up, and if only an example was made, I think ifc would deter others from trying the Bame game on. — Yours, &o, New Zealand.