PENALTY FOR SPVING

Wairarapa Times-Age, 8 February 1940, Page 6

PENALTY FOR SPVING

DEATH SENTENCE MAY BE INTRODUCED. CAMPAIGN AGAINST CARELESS TALKING. By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright. LONDON. February 7. The Prime Minister. Mr Chamberland. in the House of Commons said that, despite the drastic penalties provided for espionage, the Government was considering the introduction of legislation to provide for the imposition of the death penalty in the most serious cases of leakage of information of possible use to the enemy.

The Prime Minister said that he was satisfied that all vigilance was being exercised against the leakage of information. Already heavy penalties were provided by the law and the defence regulations. The 8.8. C. announcer said that it was pointed out that it was possible to impose the death penalty for treason. and it was thought, that the new law might provide for offences of a new type—for example, giving one's services to the enemy by'broadcasting from his station.

The Government is starting a powerful anti-gossip campaign, and some 2,500.000 posters all over the country will warn people of the danger of careless talk. A number are to be sent to the Dominions and colonies. One poster, for instance, depicts a crew rowing away from a sinking ship, and the motto underneath is: “A few careless words may end in this." —By radio.