REVIEW OF A COURT-MARTIAL

Press, Volume LVII, Issue 17115, 9 April 1921, Page 8

REVIEW OF A COURT-MARTIAL

THE THOMPSON—HOTOE CASE. (PEESS ASSOCIATION TELEGRAM.)' WELLINGTON, April 8. , Mr T. F. Martin, barrister, of Wellington, sat as a Royal Commission to enquire into the report of the,'proceedings and the judgment of the courtmartial whjich in 1917 sentenced to 112 days' detention Henry Harsant Thompon, a private in the N.Z.E.F., at Featherston camp. To-day's sitting was. preliminary main enquiry. Thompson, who was found guilty, of making a false accusation against a superior officer, Captain. Hotop, petitioned /Parliament; praying-. that the records of the trial, his conviction and sentence, Should be expunged from all military records, and that lie be granted compensation. The Petitions! Committee of the House of Representatives reported favourably, and a Commission was appointed. ' '[ , To-day thero was some discussion as to the evidence to-be admitted, the witnesses at the time of _ the courtmartial not now being available. The Commissioner decided not to be bound by- the strict rules of evidence, counsel reserving the right to object if ho thought necessary. Colonel Andrews said it was just as well that the public should know ;bhat none of the officers connected with the court-martial was a German., It was decided ,-tha.t if cither party objected to any evidence, the Commission would state a case ' for tho ; Supreme Court.