CHARGES OF BRIBERY.

Taihape Daily Times, Volume 8, Issue 84, 7 April 1916, Page 5

CHARGES OF BRIBERY.

N.S.W. PETKOL SCANDAL. COMMISSION OF INQUIEY. SYDNEY, April 5. The taking of evidence has been commenced by Mr. Justice Pring, who was appointed a Royal Commission to investigate the allegations of bribery in connection with the proposal by the New South Wales Government to acquire the works and the business of the British Imperial' Oil Company.

According to the opening address by the Crown counsel, Henry Morgan, who was retained as advising expert, was represented to have said that under a scheme for nationalising the petrol industry it would be necessary to add something between £IO,OOO and £15,000 for the Minister, and provision would also have to be made for £2,000 or £3,000 for Morgan himself.

HUGE COMMISSION. WHAT MANAGER THOUGHT. SYDNEY, April <>. Continuing his address before the Petrol Commission, the Crown Counsel stated that the Cabinet had, instructed Mr. Griffiths, Minister for Education, to obtain the necessary information and submit a scheme for the nationalisation of supplying petrol. Mr. Reed, who was then isuperintendent of stores, investigated various schemes, and later Mr. Griffiths signed an authorisation for Mr. Morgan to act as his agent through Mr. Reed. Coming to the negotiations for the purchase of the British Imperial Oil Company's business, counsel said that in conversation with the Sydney manager of the company. Morgan was represented to have said that they could rest assured that th company which sprung the highest illicit commission, would be the one to get supply. Subsequently, at a meeting in Melbourne between Reed, Morgan, and the Sydney and Melbourne managers of the comapny, when the question of commission was raised Reed said it did not interest him. At the second meeting Reed raised the same objection, but stayed by request. He pointed out that certain schemes would have to be refused,and. somebody placated; besides ther e was the chance of opposition in Parliament, which could be softened by suitable provision. Counsel. added that there was no information ' that the negotiations with the British Imperial or of the breaking off of the negotiations had been communicated to the Cabinet or to individual members of the Government.

Mr. Hall, Attorney-General, gave evidence to the effect that he was put in possession of certain facts -and documents. The Melbourne manager of the British Imperial Company informed him that the commission asked for amounted to £32,000 a year, which en a ten years' contract meant £320.000. Pressed to give his reason for thinking that this money would go to Ministers, the manager answered that the largeness of the commission made him think so. His impression wa that all Ministers were involved.

PIVOT OF THE EMPIRE. IN PEIYATE HANDS. A SHIPOWNER'S ADVICE. LONDON, April 5. Speaking at the National Liberal Club, Mr. Howard Houlder, of 'louldtT Bros., the great shipowners, said the mercantile marine was not the pivot on which the industry and the commerce of the Empire turned. The owning of ships was only possible on the principle of independent ownership. The centralising of the shipping industry in a Government department would be fatal to industry. Apropos of the reopening 'if the Panama Canal, Mr. Houlder said that several shipowners were arranging for their vessels to adopt the route.

BRITAIN'S BEER. THE OUTPUT CURTAILED. LONDON, April 5. Mr. Walter Runciman (President of the Board of Trade) announced to-day that from April 1 the output of beer will be reduced by 28 per cent compared with 1913-14. A bill to give effect to this will be introduced next week. The reduction is equivalent to a restriction in brewing import of about 33 1-3 per cent.

TARIFF REFORMERS' REGRETS. . LONDON, April 5. Tariff reform newspapers regret that the Government is neglecting an opportunity for imposing a protective tariff with preference to the Dominions and Allies.