PETROL COMMISSION.

Colonist, Volume LVII, Issue 14153, 15 April 1916, Page 5

PETROL COMMISSION.

MR. HOLMAN'S EVIDENCE

Sydney, April 14

At the Petrol Commission, the Hon. A. Griffith, in further evidence, stated that Reed (Superintendent of Stores) was mistaken in saying that Griffith warned him that he should he careful against graft.. He warned Reed to keep everything in writing, so that if allegations of corruption were made, as had been made in other big deals, he would be in a position to meet them. He knew he would meet with opposition from the oil companies. A letter from Wagstaffe (manager of the. British Imperial Oil Company) to his London directors was read, in which, it appeared that Wagstaffe sought permission to get other oil companies to work with him in trying to prevent the adoption of the Government scheme. Mr. Griffith's comment on this was, "I think this particular company would say or do anything to save their business or their billets." Asked, "If the vendors had paid Morgan and relieved the Government of the price of his services, would you. have objected?" Griffith replied, "Certainly, arid Ii would have regarded it as blackmail and struck it out." (Received April 14, 10 p.m.) The manager of the Norton Griffiths firm,, examined as to alleged payment of commissions in connection with thair contract, denied that any money h«d been paid or promised on behalf of tbe firm to any Government officer or Minister. The Premier (Hon. W. A. Holrtan) gave evidence regarding the Cabinet's consideration of oil schemes. He detailed events already cabled which led up to the appointment of the Commission. In reply to a, question, he said he had no knowledge of any wrong proceed'ops in. connection with the matter. Ho stated that when the Hon. A. Gritßtb informed him of the allegations l>c (Griffith) showed the, natural indignation of a man wrongfully accused of i.,n atrocious thing. Regarding an allegation, that the Ministry got £65.000 o»»i of the Norton Griffiths contract, Mr. Hohnan declared that there 'vas not & tittle of truth in such a rumour. Ho had no suspicion that any member cV the Government, any member of Parliament, or any official was implicated in any way as suggested.