AN INDISCREET OFFICIAL.

Hawera & Normanby Star, Volume XLVIII, Issue 8094, 23 September 1904, Page 2

AN INDISCREET OFFICIAL.

THE NEW ZEALAND PRODUCE COMMISSIONER.

[HUMS ASSOOIATIOir.} WELLINGTON, September 22. During an all-round discussion which took place in the House to-day, it w*s hinted that the Produce Commissioner in London had canvassed privately for a consignment of butter to do sent to himself.

The Premier informod the House that, having previously heard the rumor, he hid cabled to the Agent-General on the subject, and he gave the result of his enquiries. Mr Cameron stated that he had not canvassed or received a commission, but when he was in the colony he was Asked by a dairy company to assist in placing a trial shipment of butter, and when consignments were forwarded they were placed in the' hands of a wholesale house and sold under his supervision. The. Agent-General had informed Mr Cameron, that in future h* must ndb do such a thing except under instructions from the New Zealand Government. Mr Seddon went on to say that there was no deuying that Mr Cameron did send a circular to thvs various companies, and he (the Premier) asked the AgenUGeneral if Mr Cameron had resigned. The Agent-General cabled in reply that the Produce Commissioner admitted having issued the circular, and that he (the Agent-General) had informed him that his conduct was very blameworthy, and asked him for an explanation in writing. In his reply he admitted that he was guilty of an indiscretion, and ms explanation (said the Agent-General) amounted to this : That if he could have obtained sufficient business he would have tendered his resignation. '"So there's an end of that matter," said the Premier, in closing his explanation.