ALLEGED BRIBERY.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXVIV, Issue 97, 30 March 1916, Page 3

ALLEGED BRIBERY.

ROYAL COMMIS&iON TO INQUIRE United Pees* Association. Sydney, '.March 29. It is anticipated that the Royal Commission to inquire into the petrol monopoly allegation will get to work early next week. Its scope will be to inquire into the negotiations and arrangements of the proposals on behalf of the Government of New South Wales, and the acquisition of works and business of the British Imperial Oil Company, and the proposals made by Henry A. /Morgan as to the.price therefor; alstt if the demands or requests made by Morgan were prompted, instigated, authorised,, or endorsed by any Minister of the Crown or other person, according to the statement made by Mr Holman in the Assembly. Heed, the Government Superintendent of Stores at Sydney, who was engaged in the negotiations for the proposed establishment of a State monopoly of petrol, and who was retained at. Heed's recommendation as advising expert, approached the Sydney and Melbourne managers of the British Imperial Oil Company and in an interview arranged what is alleged. Morgan explained, in fixing the company's net price, that one per cent, was to be added as .Morgan's brokerage, and another three per cent, on arrival at destination, This was not explained, but apparently it was to be used as bribery for carrying the s Ciieme through the House, and was 1 either to go to the Minister with whose Department the scheme was connected, or to the Minister and his colleagues and such members as could be induced to support Wagstaff. The manager who, Mr Holman said was at the moment convinced that Reed and Morgan were acting with the connivance of the Government and the knowledge of the Government, cabled these proposals to his London principals who repudiated the whole transaction, and warned those who were a party to it that the seal of confidence whereunder the transaction had been conducted must be lifted, and after further inquiries Wagstaff, in an interview with Mr Holman, phtc-' ed the fact; before him. Mr Holman added that the appointment of a Royal Commission was entirely at the request and upon the initiative of Mr Griffith. Pending an inquiry Mr Griffith, at his own request, had been relieved of all administrative work. Mr Griffith declared that he was unaware that there was anything the least bit wrong. Bis first impulse was to suggest criminal-proceedings, but the steps now being taken seemed wiser. Mr Holman administers the Education Department during Mr Griffith's temporary absence.