N.S.W. MILLS

Grey River Argus, 16 April 1925, Page 2

N.S.W. MILLS

Employ Foreigners STATI-; GOA'KIiN’MKX i S COMPLICITY. SYDNEY, April (>. A striking commentary on the action of the Government Ln giving p'eierence. to as against Australian workmen is shown by a. photograph taken by Mr. J. J. Fitzgerald. ALL.A., when on at recent visit to Pillar Valley, South (irafton. Many Jugo-Slavs and Montenegrins are depicted returning from work to their camp. The unfm'Unnte migrants from Southern Europe none of whom can speak English, start- work at and linish ait dark, and earn from four shillings to six shillings per aay hewing- railway sleepers tp supply a New Zealand contract, while"hundreds of t-imberworkers* go unemployed. They registered at the State Laboui Bureau at the time thousands of Australian workmen were registered for employment and this number included many timber men. The Jugo-Slav and Montenegrins were given preference. "Hicy were organised into gangs and sent to various parts oT* the State to work in the hush. On Jamuary 12 twenty-four- wer e de* patched to South Grafton to Mr. .1. Reid, contractor and sawmiller. They were supplied by the Government with tents, blankets aind tools. Their fares were paid by the Government. They were met at the railway station* Soutfi Grafton, and conveyed to Zcisch’s and Murphy’s Hotels, where accommodation had been art'ang ed for them. SarTy on the morning of January 14 they were taken By motor to Pillar Valley,- where they have remained ever since under definite instructions not to leave the bush, otherwise they would be deported. Hie fares equipment, etc., advanced amounts to approximately .£3OO lor this particular gang; other gangs have been sent north and south. The Australian worker and limber men in particular are asked to contrast this preferential treatment with that meted out to the unemployed workers in this State. The following have signed statements bearing out the foregoing la.-i-,; Angelo Mitrieff, Pietar Tordandt. Miladin, SelelT, Costa. SloianofL Spii'off, Traian Pctroff, Traian I’iacinoff, Svr!<> Mitrieff, Torn Christ, Silina* Binikneof, !•!• . Tomaserich. Stel acherirh, Stygrad Stengi, Antonia. K'n-mic, Mintor Voukmanovitch, Anton Geretti, Gaybrie Dusan, Joe Kekenich, Christ Thomascvich, Poro Kekonieh, Stci Sloekovieh, Slavisko Slatuznli't.