PETROL SCANDALS

Dominion, Volume 9, Issue 2742, 10 April 1916, Page 5

PETROL SCANDALS

WHAT ONE MINISTER THOUGHT OF THE PAPERS " MY WORD—THEY ARE HOT!,". By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright - Sydney, April 8. At the Petrol Commission, Mr. Waxman (solicitor for the_ British Imperial Oil Company) gave evidence that when the papers referring to the case were shown to Mr. Hall, the latter exclaimed: "My word, they are hot I"_ r : Cross-examined, Mr. Waxman .said the whole matter had been placed' in hie .' ' hands, to use his unfettered discretion He knew ; tbat Mr. Wagstaffe (the manager of 'tho company) wanted to break ■ : up the petrol scheme. Mr. Hall told him that the nationalisation scheme had . j been killed. He regarded that, as a very good but it was still y ; merely incidental to' his duty as a citizen in disclosing the' scheme.' ' i\\'..".V ■ Mr. Black (Sydney manager of the British Imperial Company) gave, evidence as to discussing the schemo with . Mr. Morgan. The latter said that there '■ • would be an amount to go on ior Minister, and that .perhaps there would bo more than one Minister in it. Mr. Black pointed out that if the company ; wanted £90,000 for its plant, there would • a be £3000. commission for Morgan and £15,000 for the Minister, or £10S,000 - : altogether. Morgan replied that tliat : was right'. Asked, where Reed came in, _• Morgan roplied: "He does not expcct and will not take anything." Morgan . pointed out that as a couple of schemes were going tho Minister would have-to care for disappointed Ministers, as.only one scheme could got through, and "Woien it got before the House tlero were members whose support would probably have; . to be bought. Morgan thought that when the scheme was through Reed might be made president. Morgan vicepresident, and Black superintendent. -j