PETROL MONOPOLY SCANDAL

Otago Daily Times, Issue 16666, 11 April 1916, Page 6

PETROL MONOPOLY SCANDAL

IMPORTANT WITNESSES EXAMINED. MR HOLMAN'S IMPECCABILITY. Prees Association—By Telegraph—Copyright. , SYDNEY, April 10. (Received April 10, at 10.10 p.m.) Mr Justice Pring continued his sitting as a Royai Commission to inquire into allegations affecting the character of Mr Griffiths, a member of the Ministry, in the negotiations for the establishment of a monopoly of the petrol trade by the State oi JSiew South Wales. Mr Black, cross-examined, admitted that he did not want the nationalisation scheme to go through. Mr Hoyle (Minister of Railway.), in the course ul his exanunauuii, declared that, whatever Ministers did nowadays there always seemed to- be a shadow cast upon them. There was always a talk of somebody getting " backsheesh " or "hpodle." The whole thing was idle talk by interested persons. He had no suspicions against, and knew of no Minister or member of Parliament receiving anything. The money had never been coined that would buy Mr Hoknan. Mr Reed, Superintendent of Stores, examined, said he suggested that the whole business be passed into Mr Morgan's hands, because he believed him to be a smart commercial man, full of knowledge of the oil industry. Witness detailed the negotiations between himself and Mr Morgan, and the manager of the British Imperial Oil Company. He denied various statements covered by evidence and documents produced by these managers, including those referring to brokerage and payment to Ministers and members of Parliament. He added: " When the question of Mr Morgan's remuneration was discussed a Minister remarked, ' This man will want brokerage?' Witness replied, ' I do not expect he will work for nothing.' That was all that passed." In reply to a question, witness said he understood that Mr Morgan would remunerate himself. '