THIS “REBELLION"

Waikato Times, Volume 127, Issue 21219, 16 September 1940, Page 6

THIS “REBELLION"

LIES FROM ROME RADIO OUR "FIFTH COLUMN” MEASLES TE RAPA CAMP’S NOVEL VIEW When it comes to twisting words to manufacture propaganda, the Berlin and Rome radios stop at nothing to “out-lie” each other. With few exceptions their efforts seem so puerile that they scarcely warrant the mirth of British listeners. The latest effort, however, has sent a wave of mocking laughter through New Zealand. Rome would have the world believe, according to cable messages, that open rebellion has spread throughout New Zealand, resulting in troops being stopped from leaving the country so that the alleged rising may be quelled. It seems a ridiculous piece of propaganda entirely without reason, but closer examination of the enemy lies reveals in this latest distortion of news a remarkable twist of words. Laugh From Te Rapa From the Te Rapa isolation camp a medical officer attached to the third echelon units under canvas has put forth an interesting explanation for Rome’s outrageous mis-statement. He says the mild type of measles present among the troops, which is usually referred to as “German” measles, is known in medical terms of the German language as “rebella.” Apparently, he suggests, Rome heard of an outbreak of “rebella” in New Zealand among the troops of the third echelon and immedaitely seized upon the translation “’rebellion” for a broadcast of blatant propaganda. From the one word, incorrectly translated, they worked up a truly amazing line of lies. And so that is how the Rome radio works! Maybe the author of the broadcast had a scanty knowledge of English and a worse idea of the German language and was too lazy to check his dictionary of translation. Maybe, on The other hand, he translated well enough, but suddenly had the “bright” inspiration that a story of rebellion in the Dominion would sound very well in a propaganda broadcast. Rome Loses “Face” We hear all sorts of threats about what fifth columnists could do to New Zealand. Few there were, however, who would have thought for a moment that “German” measles could have been the cause of this “rebellion.” However much we could associate “German” with fifthcolumn, the stretch of imagination would have to be too great to make us believe any more Rome broadcasts. It has over-stepped the mark so many times now that its reputation has dropped to zero for the duration.

Out of it all, however, New Zealanders will have a laugh and someone may be amused to think of the far-reaching results of this mild and confined outbreak of—shall we say “Filth Column” measles?