PETROL SCANDAL

Dominion, Volume 9, Issue 2747, 15 April 1916, Page 5

PETROL SCANDAL

• A MINISTER'S EVIDENCE By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright' Sydney, April 14. Mr. Griffith, iu his evidence, said that Mr. Reed made a mistake in saying that ho (Mr. Griffith). warned liirn to ho careful against graft. He warned him to keep everything in writing so that if an allegation of corruption were made, as in otlior big deals, he would lie in a position to meet them. Ho knew tys would meet with opposition from the oil companies.- ■ A letter was read from Mr. Wagstaffs to his London directors, in which it appeared that Mr. Wagstaffe sought permission to get other oil companies ho work with him in trying to prevent the adoption of the Government scheme. Mr. Griffith's comment on this was: "C. think this particular company would pay and do anything to 6ave their business or their billets." Asked, "If the vendors had paid Morgan and relieved the Government of the price of his seryices, would you have objected?" Mr. Griffith replied:, "Certainly. I would have regarded it as ' blackmail and. struck it out." EVIDENCE OF MR. HOLMAN. . NO WRONG, PROCEEDINGS. (Rec. April 14, 10 p.m.) Sydney, April 14. The manager of Norton Griffith' was next examined on the alleged payment of_ commissions .in connection with' their contracts, and' denied .that any money was paid or promised on behalf of the firm to any Government officer or Minister. [ Mr. Holman, State Premier; gave evidence concerning Cabinet's consideration' of the oil schemes, and detailed the events which led up to the appoint- ' ment of the Commission. In reply to a question he said he had no knowledge of any wrong proceedings, in connection ,with the matter, and stated thart,when, Mr.,.Griffith,,was informed of the allegations he showed the natural indignation of a man accused of .an atrocious, thing., .r, . Regarding the allegation that the Ministry' got £65,000 out of the Norton Griffith contract,. Mr. Holman. declared there was not a. tittle-of truth in .such a rumour., He had no suspicion that any member of the Government, or Parliament, or official, was implicated in any way as suggested.