TARANAKI OIL.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXXVI, Issue 3998, 31 July 1913, Page 6

TARANAKI OIL.

ATTITUDE OF MINISTER. COMPLAINT OF APATHY. [BY TELEGRAPH —PARLIAMENTARY CORRESPONDENT] WELLINGTON, July 30. A question regarding Taranaki oil was put to the Minister for Mines (Mr Fraser) to-day by Mr Okey (Taranaki). He asked whether, seeing the interest that is now being taken in the use of oil fuel for the British Navy and the benefits to the Empire of having supplies within its own Dominions, he will take the necessary steps to have placed before the Admiralty the advantages of having the oil in- , dustrv fully developed in this Dominion ? Mi* Okey pointed out that Mr Churchill (First Lord of the Admiralty) had stated in the House of Commons that there were now built and building a hundred oil fuel destroyer,!. Five battleships this year would also use oil as an auxiliary. Oil increased a ship’s active radius by 40 per cent and permitted the designing of vessels of equal fighting power, but less dimensions, and at a smaller cost. The Admiralty intended becoming the independent owner or controller of its own- oil suply. Mr Fraser replied: The Admiralty iy already in possesion of all the information available on this subject. Mr Okey expresed dissatisfaction with this answer and said it was obvious that the Minister for Mines took no interest in this matter. He personally knew the Department had never approached the Taranaki Directors for any information and how could it be said then that the -Admiralty was already in possesion of all information? The Ministor for Mines was not trying to push his department in a question that was of keen interest to the Dominion. This showed that he had not the interests of the industry at heart. Mr Okey maintained that the people running this industry had the* interests of the Dominion at heart and were doing their best to bring the field before the Admiralty themselves. When Captain Halsey was in the district it was brought before him. That showed the directors were in earnest. What was Avanted now was .for the High Commissioner to receive full particulai-s and place them before the Admiralty. Mr Fraser was not drawn into making any further comments.