STRIKERS’ FAMILIES SUFFERING ICEFLOES IN TOWN

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXXV, Issue 22593, 23 March 1948, Page 5

STRIKERS’ FAMILIES SUFFERING

ICEFLOES IN TOWN

APPALLING MISERY IN QUEENSLAND

(N.Z.l’.A.— Peuter —Copy right.)

BRISBANE, March 22. Evidence from all over Queensland suggests that the railway strikers are nearing the end of their financial resources,

The strike, which originally was expected to end in a fortnight, has now dragged on for 48 days, and the families of 20,000 railwaymen are without proper food.

Strike pay, which started at £2* to £l/10/- a week, has now been reduced to £l.

According to social workers, appalling misery exists in many homes and thousaids of children are living On nothing more than bread and jam. Essential baby foods for infants up to four months old are unknown in most strikers’ homes.

RIVER FLOOD HAVOC

HOUSES SWEPT AWAY

(10 a.m.) OTTAWA. March 22. The St. Francis River overflowed its banks at Bromptonville, Quebec, when an ice-jam blocked it on Saturday night, causing one death and more than 500,0C0 dollars damage to residential property.

Striker*: are not eligible for Government relief and have lost a total of £520,000 in wages since the strike started Moderate unionists say that a secret ballot would be 90 per cent in favour of an immediate return to work. In an effort to mediate in the strike, leaders of the Australasian Council of Trade Unions arrived in Brisbane last night and will see the Premier, Mr. M. Hanlon, and the disputes committee. Leaders of the Communist-controlled Miners’ Federation are also making a hasty visit to Queensland. Fear of a general coal strike resulting in the almost immediate immobilisation of industry and unemployment for 750,000 workers is growing-

The flood ripped up half a mile of track on the Canadian National Railway.

Nearly 100 were rendered homeless as the flood swept houses away. The water forced huge icefloes through the streets, knocking aside buildings like ninepins.

The town suffered further through the power being cut off when the elec - tric Jight poles were smashed.