USED AS GO-BETWEEN

Grey River Argus, 17 July 1943, Page 4

USED AS GO-BETWEEN

ECHO OF AIRMAN’S COURT MARTIAL.

P.A. CHRISTCHURCH, July 16. “Your history shows no signs of any dishonest tendency until you were used bv your employers to- be their go-between in a thoroughly discreditable and dishonourable transaction,” said Mr. Justic Northcroft in the Supreme Court, when placing on probation for two- years John Lindsay Graham, who appeared for sentence on a charge of stealing £671 from the New Zealand Grinding and Gear Company. “This transaction no doubt would have its effect on you, and the surreptitious and underhand manner’ in which it was carried out between your employers and Wing Commander Brown provided opportunities and temptations for acts to which you pleaded guilty,” said His Honor. Counsel for Graham, Mr. C. S. Thomas, said that the company had not been doing very well, and Graham had been told that if he could increase the business he would participate -in the added prosperity. Graham had been approached by Wing Commander Brown about work being done for the Air Force. Brown had nointed out that the firm was not doing much work for the Air Force, but if a proposition were agreed to the firm would get the bulk of the work in Canterbury. A condition was made that Brown receive 20 per cent, commission on all orders. At the same time a threat was also made that if the firm would not agree to the proposition it would los P orders. Graham had accepted the proposition on behalf of the company, after consulting his employers.

Mr. Thomas added that Brown had been in a position to exert pressure, and there was no doubt that Graham’s dishonest actions dated back to the start of that arrangement. His Honor: Has any action against Brown or the company been taken? Mr. Thomas: No. I understand Brown was on loan from Britain and has been returned. His Honor; Has no criminal action been taken against either? Mr. Thomas: It appears that no action has been taken. He had been informed that the position was still being investigated.