CONTRACTOR CAMERON

NZ Truth, Issue 602, 30 December 1916, Page 7

CONTRACTOR CAMERON

Explains His Position Mr. George Cameron, who was the contractor referred to m the articles entitled "Contractor's Cupidity," published m "Truth," November 25, and other issues, has requested this paper to correct certain statements which were published. The position is that Mr. Cameron was compelled to relinquish v contract he hud undertaken with the Public Work's Department for the construction of two tunnels on the Stratford-Matlero railway. At the time Mr, Cameron's contract was term innted,. certain wages had not been paid his employees, who complained to "Truth," After due inquiries from the Minister of Public Work*, It was stated m "Truth" that Mr. Cameron had been paid m full by the Government, yet hud not paid his men. It ha* been shown to us by the perusal of the c<A*r«»spondenee between Mr, Cameron and the P.W.D. that he hus not yet been paid for the work of July, representing a sum of over £200. Mr. Cameron found that owing to the Increased cost ot material:!, inurvatK'il wages, and the failure of the. P.W.D. to keep up a. supply of brick*, he was unable to carry on. He duly represented the dittletiltles t<> the Department, and requested nu increase of JS per cent, on his contract price, but ho received no satisfuctfon whatever. Mr. Cameron hus placed his side of the case before this paper, and it is evident that it was .incorrect when tho Department informed this paper that Mr. Cameron had been paid m full. Mr. Cameron ytutoa that if ! he had been paid the men would have, been paid ulso. Contrary to collaring tho cheque from the Exchequer ami bolting, he accepted tho ponltton of foreman of works on another section of the railway, five miles distant, carried on by Dillon, 'Ltd., whore he J.s still employed. A.h "Truth" la always prepared to correct any mtaKtatemout which it publishes, no matter from whatever source obtained, we accordingly have pleasure In doing so In this case., and express our regret for having fallen Into the error of stating that Mr. Cameron had been puid In full. However, the fact remains that tho workmen concerned \ver.> not paid as stated,' and it m unfortunate when Mr. Cameron was not paid by the Government he was unable to pay them. We understand that tho Department still rKfUriH the usual deposits and 10 per cent, on the work done, ami have taken his plant, costing £900. us well. In uddltion to this the Department hus sold hl» horsen nnd other property. In thest* clrcumtuuncos the workers might very well look to lbs Government for payment. • « • "Truth's" representative waited on the Minister for Public Works to submit the above for any comment or reply which he may have deemed necessary to make respect ing Contractor Cameron's statement that he had not been paid for tho work done In July. Mr. Fraser. however, angrily refused to dlftcuAH the nutter any further with "Truth,"