RUMOUR

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 5, Issue 24, 4 March 1942, Page 5

RUMOUR

WARNING TO PUBLIC

PRACTICE VERY PREVALENT

We have been asked by the Home

Guard to publish the following article:—

This article is not intended for that, particular section of the public of Whakatane Borough and County who have the security of their country at heart, but for few people who persist in spreading "rumour."

Since the commencement of the war, the spreading of rumour has become very prevalent, so much in fact that certain authorities have found it necessary that this contagious disease must be stopped.

Does the public of Whakatane

know that every rumour spread in our district is investigated. Be careful that j r our name is not entered on the scroll of rumour spreaders.

Do not listen to things which arc not true—don't gossip. Rumour jeopardise the lives of many thousands of people both at home and abroad. You may tell your friends sometiling in all sincerity but in reality you may be endangering the lives of the boys overseas. The malicious person who gloats in spreading rumours is not wanted in the community. Such individuals are just public pests—a menace to society. Listening to foreign broadcasts is inclined to start people off on the rumour disease. These broadcasts are lying Axis propaganda. Let us quite, 'There is the lady who- heard (she is fairly definite about this) that the Japs were arriving in New Zealand on such and such a date.' Now having received such message she then broadcasts it to her neighbours. So it goes on until a stage is reached when this rumour has gained enormous proportions. When Uiis rumour is investigated this lady then states that someone else toki her. She just can't face an ollicial investigation. That is the type ol person who Ha'cs in our midst.

Then there is the person who is kindly permitted to read a letter written by a soldier overseas. Unfortunately the imagination wanders and before long this person imagines she has read something which is worthy of being broadcast. Away it goes—the sky is the limit and before long Ave hear that "so many troops (the number and units art stated) are returning to New Zealand on a certain date (the date is mentioned) Those mothers who have lads in these units are keyed up with hope of hearing this information. That certain day has dawned and died away—weeks pass by and still no news. Now ask yourself —is it likely that such information would pass the censor. Do you realise that such information would endanger not only the lives of these !ads but of thousands of other people

Even as late as last Friday one or two local people thought they would like to spread a little bit of news. They heard it over the air (so they say). But did they listen to all the broadcast. O'h no. It was necessary to inform the local inhabitants before it was too late. Yes certain information was given over the air but not what these people are supposed to have heard.

Don't imagine things. Think before you speak. Be security-minded by not spreading rumours.