STUPID RUMOURS.

Lyttelton Times, Volume CXVII, Issue 17289, 3 October 1916, Page 6

STUPID RUMOURS.

L.vrrxv there have been in circulation rumours, originating no one knows where, alleging a disaster to a transport bearing reinforcements from New Zealand. Such rumours are put abroad from time to time, commonly having reference to drafts that are supposed to bo nearing the destination, but for tho most part they die down in the absence of official encouragement. Tho present ’crop, however, has been unusually persistent, so much so that tho Mayor yesterday took tho wise course of communicating with the Minister of Defence on the subject, in the hope that an official statement might reassure anxious friends of tho soldiers; and the Minister, in addition to replying direct to the Mayor, emphasised his denial in a statement made to our Wellington correspondent. Mr Allen declared that the draft of reinforcements particularly mentioned in tho rumours was perfectly safe; and we may add, for the benefit of people who may have heard a variation of the story, that no news whatever of accident to any of the New Zealand transports has come of lato. The dread hi 1 casualty lists that arc ilow being published are bringing anxiety and sorrow enough to New Zealand homes in all conscience, without tho addition of baseless rumours of disaster, aud wo trust that every man and woman who hears an unconfirmed story of the kind in future will make a point of checking its further spread: Tho circulation of rumours of this character is an offence against tho law, and it is to be hoped that the authorities will make an ex-

ample of any offender who can be ca'ught. But it should not bo loft to the police to take action. Every sensible citizen should assist in putting a stop to the nuisance by following the simple rule of holding his tongue.