BRITISH IMPERIAL OIL COMPANY

Dominion, Volume 10, Issue 3142, 21 July 1917, Page 9

BRITISH IMPERIAL OIL COMPANY

SUSPICION OF ALIEN CONTROL REMOVED. In the Commonwealth House of Representatives on March last, stated a Press Association cablegram of that date, Mr. Palmer moved the adjournment of the House in order-to discuss the importation of benzine and kindred products by enemy or alien companies. He said that by medium of these concerns Germany wns kept well acquainted, with Australian affairs. The jjfitisli Oil Company represented α-iiunvber of interlocking companies, and had a." managing director who was variously described u. a Dane, Dutchman, or a German,' who resided in. Holland.

Mr. Hughes (the Prime Minister) said there was. grave reason to believe that the only thing British about the company was its name. He gave an assurance that the Government would root out Gorman trade.

Wo are informed that on July IS, in tho House of Representatives, Mr. Boyd asked the Federal Prime Minister:

1. Has he .caused inquiries to be made concerning tho statements made by Air. Palmer during last session in relation to tho British Imperial Oil Company? 2. What was tho naturo and result of such inquiries, if any? Mr. Hughes replied as follows tain information has been received from the British Government in ieply to our inquiries relating to this company to the effect that tho British Imperial Oil Company is a British Company, and there is no reason why it should not T>o treated as such."