WHAT THE MAJOR SAID

[SPOILER]

During their last conversation before he leaves New Zealand to go to Australia, Arjan asks the major if he was the one who ordered the burning of Arjan's home and farm in South Africa, and the major says "No." Then, when asked if there was anyone in the house when it burned, he states that there was no one there. The major is portrayed as an honest, decent sort of guy, but was he lying about not having ordered the burning?