OIL FUEL.

Dominion, Volume 7, Issue 2180, 19 June 1914, Page 7

OIL FUEL.

%im-smssm to Britain* >S ; ':-. ; 'iC^lwV-AREA.^.,'^:-}, By Tei«groi-.h—Frees Association—Oopjririirtrt j ;■; " (Rec. June; 1!?, 10.20 p.m.) :■.;.-.. '■<H\± : London, June 17. - Mr. Churchill, First Lord of the Admiralty, in moving in the House of Commons tor a gram, <ii two millions out of the' Consolidated Fund to acquire control of the- Anglo-Persian, Oil Company's field, stated that the' concession covered an area as large as Frantic and Germany, and that the poorer wells ■alone would suffice lor the Gary's needs for many years. The arraageiß-ent was necessary to prevent the company being swallowed by the Shell Transport Company. It also enabled tlie Government to control tho price of fuel. Continuing, Mr. Churchill said that Trinidad and Egypt were Unable to meet the ttava.l demands for oil, and it would b» many years before tho Scottish shale production was suiJiotcnt. . When ho wciit to the Admiralty, oil approximately east the same as- coal. The priees had since almost doubted, owing to artificial inflation. The Admiralty did feat inland: to rely o« tho Persian oil. Only half the supply would bo tnbftn from there. The oil ivoold ho brought to- England by the Cape route, which could easily be defended, and which would save the ttuial dues. Tho eost of the invostmeut »vo«td he met with £1,500,000 diverted from the ©id Sinking Fund in 1912.. and £ 730,000 diverted jn 1913.

Sir Edward Grey, replying to ' tho criticisms, said thai the oil properties were sii/nated in. a neutral /.ofte, outBide the area of settled control, la the ■worst oontittgeiioy two British brigades would be sufficient to prefect ISO miles of pips Unas to the coast. It Would ho Better if a Persian foreo under British affieials were used rather than the Indian Army. Moreover, the natives pecuniarily interested wuuli thisniseh'esj bo protecting the pipes, • _ Mr, E. G, Pre-ttyro-ah (Unionist) cordially supported tho scheme. Mr. Chttrcuill pointed out that Mr, Prettyniaa had suggested the policy eleven, years ago. Mr. Ramsay MacDonnld (Labour) s.\rj> ported th© raot-Km, and hoped that two Government would' give tho Mart'tis Samuel Oil Trust no mercy. the mot-iw was adc-jfcl, ttro Voting being: For , , 254 Against 18