BRIBERY CHARGES IN NEW SOUTH WALES

Dominion, Volume 9, Issue 2732, 29 March 1916, Page 5

BRIBERY CHARGES IN NEW SOUTH WALES

SENSATION IN STATE ASSEMBLY

ADEALINOIL^

CABINET'MINISTER INVOLVED

By Telegraph-Press ABSociation-Copyrietf

(Etc. March 23, 1.25 a.m.)

_ Sydney, March 28. There was a sensational development m the New South Wales Assembly tot night. Mr. Holman (the State Pre. | mier) announced that .he had an imI portent statement to make concerning the honour of a member. He said that for some time past the Government bad desired to establish a State petrol monopoly, and the negotiations had been in the hands of Mb • Ministerial colleague, Mr. Griffith. Mr. Holman then detailed certain! allegations of bribery which had been communicated to the Government in connection with the negotiations by. the Government's representatives, through intermediary channels, with the representatives of a certain oil company. One allegation was that a percentage was to be added to the net price of th"e oil, and the money used to bribe niemb,ers of Parliament. Mr. Griffith returned from the country this morning, and when the matter was placed before him, declared that certain persons mentioned as-acting in the matter had'not 'been ap« pointed by him, and had no power to act. Ho demanded that the whole matte* Bhould be subject to a full judicial inquiry. He also tendered' his' resigns tion, which the Government considered that it was not desirable to accept. Ths Premier added that the Government had appointed Mr. Justice PHhg as a Royal Commissioner to probe the matter to the bottom. Mr. Griffith followed Mr. Holman, He stated that the allegations had come upon him like a thunderbolt. All Tie aßked of the country and of the Hoiise. was that they should suspend judgment till the result of the* inquiry known „■.."■; • '■ '. The Hous6 immediately adjourned.