REVOLTING CONDITIONS

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume LV, Issue 17063, 23 September 1929, Page 8

REVOLTING CONDITIONS

UNDER SOVIET RULE MINERS’ EYES OPENED ‘LUCKY TO ESCAPE ALIVE” (Elec. Tel. Copyright —United Press Assn.) (Australian and N.Z. Press Association.) (Received Kept. 23, 2 p.m.) LONDON, Sept. 22. ’ The -remarkably original plan of the management, of fhe Tilmanstonc Colliery, which paid the expenses of two men to visit Russia, following constant disputes at the colliery, was most successful. It was stipulated that df the men found conditions -preferable there they should stay in Russia, and their families would be sent to join them; otherwise they were to quit the company’s employ. The alternative whs that they should publicly address the miners and truthfully tell them what 'they saw. The men returned and said they wei'e lucky to get out alive. Addressing miners, they gave such 'a scathing condemnation of the Soviet that when the, management subsequently offered to pay the whole expenses to [Russia of any employee none accepted. One of the men stated that oil arrival at -Moscow, although they were ravenously hungry, they could not cat the food, consisting of 'chunks of skewered beef, bread and water. Some 1 of the sights in the streets were re-.; volting and indescribable. Cripples and aged beggars of both sexes were sitting or lying on the pavements and gutters. Everything was -most expensive. In street after street there wei'e bread queue's in which thousands Waited all day for their daily ration. Housing was terrible, and many families had to live and sleep in'one, room., Thousands were without work, and sanitation was dreadful. Tliefe were millions of flies. The •miners’ houses were mere shacks. , A, collier’s, average output was .throe tons. This had to be obtained before the minimum wage was reached. If it were less, the wages were reduced in proportion. There was an' Intense official dislike, .of Messrs.; Ramsay MacDonald, J. R. dynes, and and 'Henderson.