"BRITISH OIL COMPANY"

Dominion, Volume 10, Issue 3021, 7 March 1917, Page 6

"BRITISH OIL COMPANY"

(To the Editor.) Sir, —We have been so inundated with inquiries regarding the cablegram published in your issue of the 3rd instaut dealing with statements made in the Australian 'Parliament reflecting upon the "British Oil Company" that wo feel sure you will be good enough to aiford us the opportunity ing the false impression you have inadvertently created concerning the British Imperial Oil Company.

We liavo no desire to boast about the great services which have been rendered by our principals, the "Shell" Oil Company, to the Empire during the great crisis through which we are passing, but as a false impression has been created, we think it reasonable to state that the remarks made in the Australian Parliament are quite incorrect, in so far as the affairs of our company or our principals are concerned. Something of what they are doing may be gathered from the following letter to our proprietors by the British Admiralty. It reads as follows :— "My Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty, having had before them . a statement of the services rendcred'by you, desire mo to signify to you their appreciation, of the valuable assistance which has been a Horded by you. For the fighting forces it is of the utmost importance at the present time." The above will satisfy any reasonable person that all is as it should be. Sir Marcus Samuel, an English M.l'., is the chairman of the British Imperial Oil Company, which company sells in New Zealand the products of the ''Shell" Oil Company, which holds the contract for the British Government for the supply of motor spirit to the Army, Navy, and Plying Corps. Its products have been supplied to the fighting forces at pre-war prices, and •10 of pur ships are now under charter to the Imperial Government for war purposes.

It is difficult to deal with the misleading statements published, as they are made in a vague manner and under the privilege and protection of Parliament. Had they beeu true, who but the Australian Government would be to blame for inaction during the years they have held office. The New Zealand Government deals with such matters in a more businesslike manner. They apparently thought it well to investigate the status of many of the leading companies doing business in Now Zealand —among others the Brit'sh Imperial Oil Company, Ltd. Fullest inquiries were made by Irm High Commissioner, the result of which were, needless' to say. entirely satisfactory.—AVo are etc., THE HHITI.SH IMPERIAL OIL Co. NEW ZEALAND,. LTD.) (iollin and Company, Proprietary, Ltd., Agents. ' Walter PreeJy, Manager.