SQUATTER AND ORGANISER.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LV, Issue 271, 8 April 1913, Page 7

SQUATTER AND ORGANISER.

TALK ABOUT " PESTS." SAID TO JiK PURE INTENTION. Hastings. llondav. Interviewed on Saturday, Mr. H. :M. Campbell, member for Hawke's Bay, said he had spent a week at Taupo, and had only just read the reports of statements about himself by McLeod, the shearers' organiser, when acting as spokesman for a deputation which waited on Mr. Massey last Monday. Mr. Campbell said that McLeod's version of the conversation lie had with him was absolutely untrue. "The man came along," saiil Mr. Campbell, "and asked nie if be might interview the men, and I gave him permission. He next asked if I would pay any orders which he might receive from the shearers. I replied, 'Certainly not.' He then referred me to a clause in the award which entitles a shearer to demand payment once a week of 75 per cent, of the money due to him. Payment can be made by cheque or order; if the cheque is not drawn on a local bank it must have the exchange added. After I had read this the organiser said tliat under the award T would have to pay him. I told him I did not. think so, and in any ease would not do so. and if he thought I had committed a breach of the award be could prosecute me. T added that T thought as the men were working under the award they would no longer be pestered by organisers.

"What happened then?" asked the reporter. "The man," said Mr. Campbell, lauching, "inivted himself down to the cookhouse niul had a feed." "Did he interview the shearers?" "Oh, yes, he saw them after he b"d bad some tucker, but T don't know with what success. Twenty orders for payment were asked for. I did not see McLeod again." In conclusion. M'\ Campbell added: "I mav sav that MeT/>od's statements to the Pjimn Minister Ml that T rcf"rve<l to hi"! (McT.eod) as a ri«st. (21 I'" 1 1, T said 'T thought when we had killed Ward we lr'd killed all such pests as von ' and that. T said 1 had not read the award.' are absolutely false and pure inventions on the part of McLeod."