SHEARERS’ ORGANISER.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXV, Issue 76, 7 April 1913, Page 5

SHEARERS’ ORGANISER.

ALLEGED FALSE STATEMENTS. [Per Press Association."l Hastings, April 7. Interviewed on Saturday, Mr H. Campbell, member for Hawke’s Bay, said ho had spent a week at Taupo, and had only just heard of the reports of certain statements made about himself by Mr McLeod, shea rers’ organiser, when acting as spokesman for a deputation which waited on Mr Massey, last Monday. Mi: Campbell said that Mr McLeod’s version of the conversation ho had with him was absolutely untrue. “The man came along,” said Mr Campbell, “and asked me if ho might interview the men, and 1 gave him permission. He next j askecti if 1 would pay any orders which ho might receive from the shearers. I replied. Certainly not. He then referred me to a clause in the award which fen titles shearers to demand payment once a week of 75 per cent of money duo to them. Payment can bo made ,by cheque or order, and if cheque is not drawn on the local bank it must have exchange added. After I had read this, the organiser said that under the award I would have to pav him. I told him I did not think so, and in any case would not do so, and if he thought I had committed a breach of the award he could prosecute me, I added that 1 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, laughing, “invited himself down to the cookhouse and had a feed.” “Did he interview the shearers?”

“Oh, yes; ho saw them after lie 'had had some tucker, but I don’t know with what success. Twenty orders for payment were asked for and I did not see Mr McLeod again.” In conclusion, Mr Campbell added; “I may say that Mr McLeod’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 you and all such pests as you” ; and (3) that I said “1 had not read the award” are absolutely false and pure inventions on the part of Mr McLeod.”