SECRETARY’S ACTS

Waikato Times, Volume 132, Issue 22093, 17 July 1943, Page 4

SECRETARY’S ACTS

USED BY EMPLOYERS DEALINGS WITH AIR OFFICER (By Telegraph—Press Association) CHRISTCHURCH, Friday “Your history shows no signs of any dishonest tendency until you were used by your employers to be their go-between in a thoroughly discreditable and dishonourable transaction,” said Mr Justice 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, of which he had been secretary. “This transaction, no doubt, would have its effect on you,” continued His Honour, “and the surreptitious and underhand manner in which it was carried out between your employers and Wing-Commander Brown provided opportunities and temptations for the acts to which you pleaded guilty.”

Counsel for accused, Mr Thomas, said that the company had not been doing very well and accused had been told that if he could increase business he would participate in the added prosperity. Accused had been approached by Wing-Commander J. T. Brown about work being done for the Air Force. Brown had pointed 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 should 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 lose orders. Accused accepted the proposition on behalf of the company after consulting his employers. His Honour: The responsibility seems to rest with his employers. Mr Thomas added that Brown had been in a position to exert pressure and there was no doubt that accused’s dishonest actions dated back to the start of that arrangement. His Honour: 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 Honour: Has no criminal action been taken against either? Mr Thomas said it appeared that no action had been taken. He had been informed that the position was still being investigated.