MR PAYNE AND HIS "GERMANS."

Dominion, Volume 9, Issue 2785, 1 June 1916, Page 3

MR PAYNE AND HIS "GERMANS."

AND A QUESTION. Mr. John Payne pursues his man" campaign in tlio House with an almost daily bombardment-of the Minister of Defence with questions about persons alleged to be German, and mostly alleged to bo in tho Defence Forces. Several of his questions were answered yesterday, and in every case it appeared that there was no ground for even suspicion against tho persons concerned. Tho. following question, interesting to Mr. Payne, was asked ami answered:—

Mr. Nosworthy (Ashburton) asked the Minister of Defence: Whether ho is aware that ono Herr Lohmaiin, an alleged German, is loader of the orchestra of the Moving Picture Company, Napier, of which Mr. Jolm Payne, M.P., is a director, and whether lie will cause careful inquiry to be made as to the said Herr Lehmann, with Tcspect to: (a) The place of his birth, (b) tho nationality of his parents, (c) whether he is a British subject by naturalisation, (d) if the latter, the date of his naturalisation, (e) the dato of: his arrival in the Dominion, and general history ill either case, and (f) whether it is a fact that this company is using German-made films in their picture show?

The Hon. J. Allen (Minister of Defence) replied: Herr Lchniann is employed in the orchestra of the Moving Picture Company, Napier, of which company it is understood Mr., Jolm Payne, M .P., is a director. His place of birth is Germany. The nationality of his parents ia uncertain. He is not a. British subject by naturalisation. ITe arrived in the Dominion ,in the early part of the year 1897. He has been reporting to the police since August H. 1911, and his conduct has been audi that it has not been considered necessary to intern him. It is not known whether this company is using (Jiffmairniade films in its picture shows, but inquiries arc now being made.