ACTION TAKEN

Wairarapa Times-Age, 14 November 1942, Page 3

ACTION TAKEN

AGAINST RUMOUR-MONGERS IN AUSTRALIA SPECIAL REGULATIONS. PROVIDING FOR PROSECUTION. (By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright) (Received This Day, 12.30 p.m.) MELBOURNE, This Day. Australia will gazette special national security regulations to enable the prosecution of rumour-mongers. The Prime Minister (Mr Curtin) announced this following a meeting of the War Cabinet.' Mr Curtin said the authorities found difficulty in checking rumours which had bee:i circulated in Australia. Prosecutions. could not be launched under the existing regulations. Among examples of rumours, all without foundation, were:— Rumours in March, 1942, that the crew of the Sydney were in Japanese hands. , Rumours that the Queen Mary had been sunk. Rumours of the sinking of a large number of merchant ships around the Australian coast. Rumours, after the entry of Japanese submarines into Sydney Harbour, that submarines were sending parties ashore and that residents in certain areas were afraid to go out at night. Rumours exaggerating the amount of damage done in air raids Rumours of the internment of prominent citizens and the arrest of Japanese spies. . Rumours imputing unchastity to members of the W.A.A.F., causing a serious diminution Tn recruiting. Exaggerated stories of fights between United States and Australian troops.