DEATH RAY STORY

Dominion, Volume 31, Issue 41, 12 November 1937, Page 12

DEATH RAY STORY

Explanation By Former Minister ACTION TAKEN DEFENDED An explanation of the action he had taken in the “Penny Case” as Minister of Defence in the previous Government was given by the Hon. J. G. Cobbe (Opposition, Orona) during the third reading debate on the Broadcasting Amendment Bill in the House of Representatives early yesterday morning. Earlier in the debate the Minister of Education, Hon. P. Fraser, had criticised the previous Administration for the steps it had taken following a claim by Mr. Victor Penny, Auckland, that he had discovered a death ray.

“Shortly before the general election it was reported to me by the head of a certain department that an Auckland man had made an important discovery concerning an electric element likely to have a bearing on defence,” said Mr. Cobbe. “A reliable man was sent to Auckland to investigate, and on his return the matter was referred to two senior administrative officers of the Defence Department and to the Commissioner of Police. They were of opinion that the discovery ought to be further investigated, particularly as it was well known that at least two other countries were carrying out similar investigations. “The man who claimed to have made the discovery was brought here and placed on Somes Island. I have never seen the man myself, and all of the preliminary investigations were carried out by Government officials. Certain appliances were purchased for the use of this man to enable him to complete his experiments. He applied for a high salary, but I gave instructions that he was not to receive more than £4 a week until some definite results were forthcoining.” The Postmaster-General. Hon. F. Jones: He received . £lOO0 —£500 in wages and £5OO in equipment. Mr. Cobbe: I know nothing about that. He had an assistant who received labourer’s wages. Continuing Mr. Cobbe said that he was not altogether satisfied that the man would be able to produce the re suits he claimed he could, and made arrangements to visit Somes Island and make a personal inspection himself. However, the illness of his wife prevented him from doing this. “From the reports supplied to me ami the ad vice I received, I am satisfied I was justified in acting as I did.”