HONOURS ABUSES.

Star (Christchurch), Volume XLIV, Issue 694, 22 February 1933, Page 1

HONOURS ABUSES.

Two Months’ Sentence Imposed. United Press Assn.—By Electric Telegraph—Copyrigh t. (Received February- 22, 1 p.m.) LONDON. February 21. Mr Maundv Gregory, editor of the “ Whitehall Gazette.” who was charged on February 16 with an offence against the Honours (Prevention of Abuses) Act, withdrew his plea of not guilty and was sentenced to two months’ imprisonment and fined £SO. with 50gns costs. Mr Birkett urged leniency- in view of the fact that the case was the first of its kind. Mr Gregory would not repeat his offence.

The Attorney-General declared that ! Lieutenant-Commander Edward Leake j had been approached by a stranger named Moffat who had said that the highest authorities desired to honour him. Moffat arranged a meeting with Gregory, who declared that sinews were necessary to open closed doors. lie suggested a payment of £IO,OOO or £12,000. He discussed the prices of honours, ranging over a number of years, and produced a document detailing his credentials, including his orders, war record and power-of-attor-ney held for certain people. Commander Leake suggested discussing the subject with three prominent people. Mr Gregory- agreed to tyvo and asked him to refrain from speaking to the der Leake suggested discussing the authorities anti subsequently- told Mr Gregory that he desired to drop the business. Mr Gregorv begged for a reconsideration and asked for £2OOO or £3OOO to keep the pot boiling.