A VERY DIFFERENT STORY.

Dominion, Volume 6, Issue 1718, 8 April 1913, Page 6

A VERY DIFFERENT STORY.

ABOUT A CONVERSATION. WHAT MR. CAMPBELL SAID TO MR. M'LEOD. (By Telegraph.—Press 4_ssociation.) Hastings, April 7. Interviewed on Saturday, Mr. H. IT. Campbell, member for Ilawke's Bay, said lie- had spent the week at Taupo and liad only just read the reports of statements made about himself by Mr. M'Leod,' the shearers' organiser, when acting ns. spokesman for a deputation which waited on Mr. Ma"jc-y. last Monday. Mr. Campbell said that M'Leod's version of the conversation ho had with him was absolutely incorrect", i "The man came along," said Mr. Campbell, "and asked me if he might interview the men, ami I gave him permission. Ho next asked if I would pay any orders which he might receive from the shearers. I replied 'Certainly not/ lie then referred' mo to a clause in the ward which entitles the shearer to demand payment once a week of'7s per.cent, of the money duo him. Payment can bo made by clieijuc or order, but if the cheque is not drawn on a local bank it must have exchaugo added. After I had.read this the drganiscr'said that under the award I would have to . pay liim. I told him I did not think so, and in any case would not do so, and if ho thought I had committed a breach of the award he could prosecute me. I added that I thought that as the men were working vndcr the award they would 110 longer be pestered by organisers." "What happened then?'"' asked the reporter. "The man/' said Mr. Campbell, laughing, . "invited himself down to the cookhouse and had a feed." "Bid ho interview shearers?" "Oh, yes. Ho "Saw them after he had had some tucker, but I don't know with what success. Xo orders or payments were asked for, and I did not eee M'Leod again." In conclusion, Mr. Campbell added: "I may say that M'Ltod's statements to the Prime Minister:- (1) That I referred to him as a pest; (2) that . I said 'I thought when' we had killed Ward wo had killed you and all such pests as you,' and that I said 'I had not read* the award'.,are puro inventions on the part of M'Leod."