A NEW ZEALAND CASE.

Taranaki Daily News, 17 September 1917, Page 8

A NEW ZEALAND CASE.

ESPIOXAOE IX WAR OFFICE. Tn the current number of the Lone Ilaml maenzino ,i remarkable stow is ■told «:f in aero-gun invented in Christchurch which became the property of the enemy by methods typknllv German. The narrative conies from .Messrs Izard and T.ous'iinan, writinir on behalf 01 a i'li"nt. Mr. Hugh McGlniu. In the Juno number of the Lone Hand appeared a paragraph, headed "Special Zeppelin Aerogun," describing the gun us consisting of two »ims fired in directly opposite directions, one discharging I.h" -r-rojoetil<-, the ether wafer, clay. etc.. thus neutralising the recoil and adapting the mm for firing lroip any unstable platform, such as an aeroplane. The paragraph stated that this mm was used by the Germans on Zeppelin?. It now appear? 'hat Mr. Hugh McGloir. actually invented this very gun many years ago, and. going to Lomlon, ofi'ered it to the British War OI!W for £20.000. Tlie offer was declined. Mr McGioin improved (be weapon, am] in Mart's IMS agalr nfiVml ii for salv to tile lii'iti-h War Oilice. The mode! renuiined a'", the War o:':>ce until Xoveoibor 1015. and was two politely declined, being shipped back ta .Xew ZeaiauO. on Xoveir.ber 2C. Xow, 3?r (Jloin naturally wants to know bow the enemy became possessed of the gun which the War Olli-e in Its wi-dom didn't use. The conclusion, the • Christehurch Star points out, is clear—treachery somewhere in the War Oilice. The foe lias his agent? everywhere, and these agents have ways and means of cireumveiitiinr British ofiiciaidom. The galling iVvi'l is loudly clear lli.it ofliml(ioni honu'-.viK-'i'c hi'ked ;i!iickii( spn-t. to recognise ireful inveiiijoii when \i saw it. liut that wa? : ever tin- vuy ci the British War Ofiiec 1 - until iho lessons of war compelled ii» iv*orili ,lition.