"CORRUPT PERPOSAL

New Zealand Herald, Volume LIII, Issue 16233, 19 May 1916, Page 4

"CORRUPT PERPOSAL

INQUIRY IN K.S.W. CHARGE AGAINST MORGAN, MINISTER NOT IMPLICATED. By Telegraph Press Association— Sydney-, May 18. His Honor Mr. Justice Pring has delivered his finding in connection -with the petrol inquiry. He says there is no evidence that Mr. Griffith, Minister for Education, was guilty of corruption or had any intention to share in moneys illicitly paid. He finds that Morgan on three separate occasions to Black and Wagstaffe made improper and corrupt proposals that certain sums of money be provided for a Minister or Ministers, and that Reed was fully cognisant of these proposals, and did not report thenx to his superiors. Mr. Justice Pring adds: " I cannot! help thinking that there is widespread suspicion that Ministers and officials hava their price." Mr. Griffith states that he will not r*. sume office until the suspicious circumstances have been cleared tip. He has been advised to take criminal proceedings. As a result-of the findings of the commission, Morgan has been arrested on a charge of initiating a conspiracy to bribe, Mr. Justice Pring was appointed a Royal Commission in March last to investigate allegations of bribery made in connection with a proposal by the New South Wales Government to acquire" the business and works of the British Im. perial Oil Company. The Minister for Education, Mr. A. H. Griffith, was instructed by the Cabinet to submit a ! scheme for the nationalisation of the supply of petrol. Heed, who was superintendent of stores, investigated various schemes, and later the Minister signed an authorisation for one Henry Morgan to ; act as his assent in negotiations with the company. Mr. Black is Sydney manager ■ of the oil company, and Mr. Wagstaff- | Melbourne agent.