THE GREGORY CASE

Hokitika Guardian, 5 March 1928, Page 1

THE GREGORY CASE

(Received this day at 8 a.ra.) LONDON, March 5. The Gregory ease, the Zinovieff letter and an allegation of the manipulation of its publication mentioned oil the 27th February are featured in tho Sunday papers. Viscount Castlerosso in the “Sunday Express” says Crowe told Gregory that Labourites were makiim accusations against him. He did hot take the matter seriously, but advised him to see Mr MacDonald and Air Thomas. This Gregory did, but MacDonald refused to discuss the matter and they parted bad friends. Thomas discussed the Zinovieff letter and regarded France’s dealings as a private affair. Gregory had a conversation with Sir A. Chamberlain in 1925 when Sir Austin dismissed the matter as servants’ tittle tattle. This is in reference to the statement by a servant of Airs Dynes which was afterwards embodied in a statutory declaration at the instance of the Labour Party. LONDON, March 3. “The Observer” publishes a lengthy letter from Thomas Marlowe, formerly editor of tho “Daily Mail,’’ to the effect that he had two copies of tho Zinovieff letter in his possession on 24 th. October 1924, both from a friend. He circulated reprints to other newspapers with the intimation that their authenticity could be established at the foreign office and elsewhere. He adds; I have never seen Gregory, and 1 did not. pav him or any other person five thousand pounds or any sum for the letter. It did not cost mo a single penny. The Foreign Office, hearing what happened in Fleet Street, Crowe decided it was better that the letter should be published with the draft of Al acD-onaid’s reply to Rakovsky. Marlnwe lielieves this the right decision, lie thinks if AtacDonald had taken tho public into life "confidence the letter would have done him little, if any harm. ALarlowe expresses the opinion that hut for his action MacDonald would have succeeded in delaying publication until after the election and adds that AlacDonnld. instead of blaming himself continued unjustly to suspect Gregory of treacherously springing a mine under liis feet. It is nov clear he was not responsible.