LOYAL BRITISH SUBJECT.

Taihape Daily Times, Volume 8, Issue 90, 14 April 1916, Page 5

LOYAL BRITISH SUBJECT.

LIEUT. GRIERSON VINDICATED. ALL CHARGES DISPROVED. “AIRING HIS SUPERIOR KNOWLEDGE.” V WELLINGTON, Thursday. The report of Mr. A. D. Thomson, who was appointed Commissioner toinvestigate certain allegations against Lieutenant Grierson, has been made public.

The Commissioner returns the answer “No” to each of the questions in the order of reference, which read: 1. Whether one Alexander Hugh. Grierson, is, or at any time has been, of German, Austrian or other enemy nationality. 2. Whether he is of German, Austrian or enemy descent. 3. Whether there is any reason to suspect him of disloyalty to His Majesty or of any enemy connections which render inadvisable his retention as an officer of the Expeditionary Forces.

After traversing the evidence taken at the inquiry, the Commissioner says he is satisfied that Lieutenant Frierson’s fellow lodgers came to a wrong conclusion in suspecting Grierson to be German or partly German in blood, but the Commissioner does not agree with Grierson’s contention that he did not give grounds for this suspicion. “It is not alleged,” says the Commissioner, “that in various discussions referred to he said anything against the British, but it seems quite clear that he said all he could for Germany in such a way as to arouse hostility to himself. I believe his doing so was only a foolish, boastful airing of his superior knowledge in certain matters, and that he is, nevertheless, a loyal British subject.”

WILL BE REINSTATED. STATEMENT BY MINISTER. WELLINGTON, Thursday. The Minister of Defence, asked by a correspondent what action it was proposed to take respecting Lieutenant Grierson, following upon the Commission’s report, said: “Only one decision is possible. There is no reason why Lieutenant Grierson should not go back to duty. The man has been proved to he British, and proved to be loyal. One admires energy and enthusiasm when rightly directed, but when it becomes unjust or extreme it defeats its own ends. Any body of people" taking up work of that kind must use good judgment, not be led astray by idle talk, but carefully examine intp'Jevery case. There vis no justification' for some of the proceedings which took place in connection with the anti-German League’s action against Lieutenant Grierson. I hope these people consider how terribly unjust actions of this kind may prove-not only to men themselves, but to their relatives and descendants. I know some ladies connected with the League have children of their own. I want to know whether they have appreciated the position of Lieutenant. Grierson’s mother? How would they like to be put so unjustly into that position?”