DEFENCE MEASURES

Wairarapa Times-Age, 26 August 1939, Page 9

DEFENCE MEASURES

+ TAKEN IN NEW ZEALAND. WARNING AGAINST RUMOURS. (By Telegraph—Preas Association.) WELLINGTON, This Day. An assurance that all necessary defence steps were being taken by the Government, even to the docking of the two cruisers on the New Zealand Station, and that the public would be supplied immediately with all news from abroad which it was considered should be made known, was given by the Acting-Prime Minister, Mr Fraser, when the House of Representatives met yesterday afternoon. Mr Fraser’s statement was received with expressions of approval from both Government and Opposition benches. “My main reason for making this statement,” said Mr Fraser, “is to reassure people. Any news wo receive which should be made public will be broadcast immediately through 2YA and the other national stations, as well as the commercial stations, and we will, of course, keep the Press fully supplied. People should not give credence to the many baseless rumours which circulate at a time like this, but should secure reliable confirmation of any statements they hear before repeating them. “All necessary steps have been taken including the docking of the cruisers Achilles and Leander, and I wish to assure the public that the Government is fully seized of its responsibilities. Any further steps that may be required will be taken at the appropriate time. We want no feeling of alarm in the country." ALL LEAVE STOPPED. NAVAL AND OTHER FORCES. WELLINGTON. This Day. All leave has been stopped in the New Zealand division of the Royal Navy, the Army and the Royal New Zealand Air Force, according to a statement made yesterday by the Minister of Defence. Mr Jones. The Minister said that leave had been stopped as a normal and obvious measure of precaution.