THE PETROL SCANDAL

Marlborough Express, Volume L, Issue 86, 11 April 1916, Page 7

THE PETROL SCANDAL

FURTHER EVIDENCE,

SYDNEY, April 8

At tlio Petrol Commission, Waxman, the British Imperial Oil Company's solicitor, .stated in evidence that when the papers referring to the case wore shown to the Hon. I>. R. Hall, Attorney-General, the latter exclaimed, "My word, they are hot!" Cross-examined, Waxman said, the whole matter was placed in his hands to use his unfettered discretion. He knew that Wagstaffe (manager of the Company) wanted to break tip the petrol scheme. Mr Hall told him that the nationalisation scheme had been killed. He regarded' £1000 n» •commission for Morgan (agent for the Hon. A. Griffith), and £15,000 as -commission for the Minister. Morgan replied'that that was right, and asked -where Reed (formerly Superintendent of Stores) came in. Morgan replied, "He does not expect and will not take anything." Morgan pointed out Jhat as. a couple of - sob>me& Tvere going, the Minister would hare to care .for disappointed Ministers, as only one scheme could get through. That-was a very good' achievement, "but still merely incidental to his duty as "a citizen in disclosing the scheme.

Mr Black, the Sydney manager oi ■the Company j in evidence;, said that in dipcussing the scheme- with Morgan, the.latter said .there would be an amount to go on for the Minister, and porhapr, there was more than one Minister in it. Mr-Black pointed out; tha'h if the company Wanted £90,000 •for its plant, when the scheme got befov the House there were members ivlv rr support would probably have •to !• > bought, Morgan thought that ■wbr ■< th-e "scheme was through, Reed 3iii; r' !■ be made president, Morgan Trie- r/esidsnt. and Black superinten■de:ii.'