BRIBERY ALLEGED.

Taranaki Daily News, 29 March 1916, Page 5

BRIBERY ALLEGED.

CABTVET MINISTER INVOLVED. SENSATION IN AUSTRALIA. By Gii^—Press Assoeiation--Copyi'ight Received March 20, 1.25 a.m. Sydney, March 2S. There was a sensational development in ]the Assembly to-night, when Mr. Holman announced lie had an important statement to make concerning the honor of a member. He said for some time past the Government desired to establish a State petrol monopoly and negotiations had been in the hands of his Ministerial colleague, Mr Griffith. Mr, Holman detailed certain allegations of bribery v.'liich had been communicated to the Government in connection with negotiations of their representatives through intermediary channels with the representatives of a certain oil company. One allegation was that a perI centage was to be added to the net price of the oil, and the money used to bribe members of Parliament. Mi'. < i I'iflith returned from the country this morning, when the matter was placed before him. Mr. Griffith declared that certain persons mentioned as acting in the matter had not been appointed by him and had no power to aet. He demanded that the whole matter should be subject lo full judicial inquiry. He also tendered his resignation, which the Government considered it was not desirable to accept. He added that the Government had appointed Mr. Justice Pring as a Royal Commisisoner to probe the matter to the bottom. Mr. Griffith followed Mr. Ilolman. He stated that the allegations had come upon him like a thunderbolt. All he asked was that the country and the House suspend judgment till the result of the inquiry was known. The House immediately adjourned.