RUMOURMONGERS

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 5, Issue 8, 26 January 1942, Page 4

RUMOURMONGERS

HOW apparently responsible people can go about this town spreading thoughtless and malicious rumours is simply beyond our comprehension . Yet, that they exist, and apply their trade regularly and diligently is beyond doubt, for scarcely a day passes without further idle stories being put about, further thoughtless casualties invented, and further distress and worry brought upon the innocent relatives of men at the front. This is not the first time we have written upon this subject in an endeavour to stop the practice. The pity of it is that we are limited to writing, for like the anonymous letter-writer, the thoughtless authors of rumours are sheltered by their own screen of anonymity. In these anxious times there are apparently persons who delight in stirring the public exclitement by their own exaggerations and falsities. Some are even so devoid of tact and decency as to openly approach the parents of men serving and enquire if the rumours of their deaths in action were true. Such callousness would not be believed* were it not for the fact that so many homes have been upset by the thoughtless cruelty of brainless enquirers. It is time we dropped treating these hypocrites with courtesy, and told them a home truth or two. Straightout rebukes are probably the only thing they will understand in any case and the persons administering them will be performing a public service.