IN NEW ZEALAND.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume XXXVI, Issue 3572, 5 October 1916, Page 6

IN NEW ZEALAND.

:-SFT£ENTN REINFOHCEMENTS

ALIRJYAL AT DKSTINA'UON

CONDEMNATION OF "WICKED KOAIOUUS.

; WELLINGTON, October 4. 'T depreeate'in the strongest possiblo terms, these idle rumours which tire in circulation about our transports," said the Hon. James Allen (Minister of Defence) to a reporter today. Continuing, the Minister said: "There rtM uecii pci-sifitent rumours that one ri (>■]!■ transports has be-on si,nk. The public must understand that if any such information came to mo, it would bo immediately made public. There is no reason to withhold it. Sad as such •;mvv, wight bo it would be made known. Such rumours as had been circulated are not only idle, but they are wicked, .and they mnke^ thousands of people :7ii->o;,. ibli>. Thora ik ? rumour that something is wrong with the Tahiti," said Mr Allen. "Sho is perfectly wife. Both of the transports that conveyed tho Fifteenth Reinforcements have re'aohed their destination safely. I do liopo people' who hear those, baseless rumours will write ,me and toll me who ib was told them. If they do that T. will trace..tho rumour to its source, and see if.l can stop anything of the kind happening in future.