THE PETROL CASE.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 11671, 11 April 1916, Page 6

THE PETROL CASE.

EVIDENCECONTINDED. A MINISTERS CONFIDENCE. By Tnlegraph—Preas Association— Copyright. SYDNEY, April 10. At the Petrol Commission Mr Black, Melbourne manager of the British Imperial Company, vross-eixamiiied, admitted that lie did not want the nationalisation scheme to go through. ! The Hon H. C. Hoylc, .Minister of Railways," in the course of his examination, declared: Whatever Ministers do nowadays there always seems to be a shadow ;cnst upon them, jmd always talk of somebody getting backsheesh or boodle. The whole thing was the idle talk of interested persons. He, had no suspioions against and knew that no Minister or member of Parliament was receiving anything. "The money had never been coined that could buy Mr Holm an. Mr Rood, superintendent. of stores/ examined, said that he suggested that the whole business should be passed through Morgan's hands because ho believed he was a smart commercial man with a full knowledge of the oil industry. Ho detailed the negotiations between himself and Morgan and tho managers of the British Imperial Oil Company. He denied various statements covered "by the evidence and documents produced by these managers, including those referring to the brokerage and payment to Ministers and members of Parliament. He added that when the question of Morgan's remuneration was discussed the Minister remarked : " This -man will want brokerage," and witness replied: "I do not expect he will work for nothing." That was -all the reply to the question. "Witness understood'that Morgan would remunerate himself.