FALSE RUMOUR

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 4, Issue 169, 17 October 1941, Page 5

FALSE RUMOUR

NO HOME GUARD "STRIKE"

REASON FOR TANEATUA PARADES CEASING

"Danie Rumour" was soon occupied in her mischievousi way when the Home Guard at Tanetatua recently ceased, parades temporarily, and the story was rife that the members had decided to "sit down" on the job until a more definite lead was given by the Army under which the Guard now operates. Perhaps it was a case of the new disease 1 of "wishful thinking" that set the rumour in motion-.

However, whatever the cause, or whatever the source, that is not the case according to the Taneatua 0 ! . C., Mr A. Schmidt who, interviewed by the BEACON' yesterday, stated that the statements made were "absolutely false." He was surprised to learn that the reason had been given by members own company, although he stated that parades had been falling off in numbers and on the last occasion the muster totalled only 4050, with all Maoris being conspicuous by their absence. Mr Schmidt continued that he had made the decision to cancel parades temporarily owing to the" prevalence of "bloat" amongst cows, in the Taneatua district. This malady in the stock had increased the farmers already strenuous home duties and he considered it only fair to give them every opportunity of caring for their stock. "Most of the members are farmers," he said, "and-have been very loyal Guardsmen," adding that in view of this- ho had- felt they were entitled to be released while experiencing trouble with their cows.