MIS-STATEMENTS REFUTED.

Wanganui Chronicle, Issue 12881, 8 April 1913, Page 2

MIS-STATEMENTS REFUTED.

•MR. H. M. CAMPBELL REPLIES TO MR. McLEOD.

(Per Press Association.) HASTINGS, April 7. Interviewed on Saturday, Mr H. M. Campbell, member for Hawke's Bay, syid he had spent the last week at 'iaupo, and had only just read the reports of tho statements made about himself by Mr McLeod, tho shearers' organiser, when acting as spokesman lor a deputation which waited on Mill assey last Monday. Mr Campbell said that Mr McLeod's version of the conversation he had with him-was absolutely unvrue. "The man came along," said M- Campbell, "and asked me if ho might interview the ioon, ami 1 gave him permission. He next asked if I would pay any orders vhich ho might receive from the shearers. I replied, 'Certainly not!' Ho then referred me to ia clause in tho 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, luit if n. cheque is not drawn on the . )eal bank, it must have exchange added. After I had read this, the organiser «iid that, under tho award, I would Lave to pay him. I told him I did not tnink so, eind, in any case, would not do so, jand if he thought I had cciir> mitted a breach of the award he could prosecute me. I added that I thought that, za the men were working under tho award, they would no longer be pestered by organisers." "What happeneV then? " asked the reporter. "The man,"said Mr !>mpbell % laughing, "invited himself do\*-r ■*/» tio cookhouse, and had a feed." "Did he interview the shear**.«. M> " Oh, yes, he saw them after he W some tucker^ but I don't know wit?, what succosi: Twenty orders for pay n onfc wore asked for,'and I did not so*, McLeod again." 7n conclusion, Mr Campbell added "i. may Gay that Mr McLeod's state' ments to the' Prime Minister, (1) that I referred to him as a pest, and (2) th.ai 1 said, tc thought when we had kilfca Ward, we had killed you, and all such pests as you," and (3) that I said I had not» TQad th<% award, are abe.toJuC.oly false, and are pure inventions on the rarb of Mr McLeod."