PETROL SCANDALS

Dominion, Volume 9, Issue 2745, 14 April 1916, Page 5

PETROL SCANDALS

COMMISSION OR BROKERAGE?

MINISTER CROSS-EXAMINED

Sy Telegraph—Press Association—OopyTigM

(Rec. April 18, 8.50 p.m.)

Sydney, April 13. Morgan,' who was /appointed to act »s advisory agent for the New South Wales Government in connection with the oil acquisition negotiations, was woss-examined before the Petrol Commission. He said that he had heard rumours that there was a possibility that; a commission might' he asked for in fathering in any big thing; It had een mentioned that there was a big sum paid for securing a big Public Works contract, such as the NortonGriffith scheme. 'He declared he would have nothing to do with a secret commission. Had the commission in connection with the petrol scheme been knocked off, the question would have been ■ how much he could get out of-the Government. Had the commission been 1 per cent, it would have meant £5000 yearly. He would have been satisfied with this, but it would not 'have re-' niunerated him so very'.well. He wanted just as much as he could make. There might have been two or three poople to pay; but he had ino one in particular in his mind. Mr. Reed wanted no commission, and would not have taken any. Prior to taking up the negotiations, witness was making £300 or £400 per year in Balary and Commission. ■ Mr.' Griffith gave evidence that he un. derstood that there was .' no charge against any Minister other than himself. .. ■.;■■ ■ -'In reply to questions, he denied the ' imputation that' Ministers got something out of the'Worton-Griffitb loan. That was simply a piece of political '-scandal. Over every contract he had bee'n connected with there had been the trail of these poisonous suggestions. Similarly;''He denied that'he.or his colleagues had used jmproper means to influence the Trades Hall in connection witH schemes; or that, any attempt had been made to bribe members of Parliament.- ~'■ air. Griffith asked the Commissioner to take steps to clear him of all these side charges, as well as of the main, charges. His reputation was involved, and unless these were refute 3,'. they Would be used for political purposes. Cross-examined. '. Mr. Griffith said that if this had been a charge of,open : brokerage, and not a secret .commission, he would have treated it as comic opera,, and would not have ' withdrawn from his- Parliamentary duties. '. He declared that Reed's. 1 statement that he (Grif.fith) had said that. Morgan would want brokerage was incorrect. / He had ab--solutely ho idea that Morgan was claiming, brokerage. ■ It. would have been most unproper. . ■ .