MINERS’ ULTIMATUM

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume LXI, Issue 18529, 16 October 1934, Page 7

MINERS’ ULTIMATUM

“ORDER OUR COFFINS” WHOLESALE SUHTDE WAGE INCREASE DEMANDED (Klee. Tel. Copyright—United Press Assn.) (Received Oct. 16, noon.) BUDAPEST, Oct. 15. “Unless our demands are granted, you can order a thousand rod coffins,” was the ultimatum the miners .sent up to M. Gombros' offer to meditate, adding: “ We shall not answer further messages until assured of an 8 per cent increase. We would rather die here of gas poisoning and starvation, than slowly above because wages are insufficient to buy bread.” A deputation descended to persuade the miners to abandon the strike. They reported that after four days without food, some miners were lying motionless, while others are wandering slowly around the galleries, on which were written the slogan “Broad or death.” The miners kept the deputation prisoners for two hours, and then manipulated the cage machinery to prevent further descents. The authorities stationed . troops with machine guns at. the pithead to prevent the approach of frantic wives and relatives who are clamoring to descend and die with their husbands, and also dispersed 1200 Socialist miners,' headed by a priest, who marched up declaring his intention to join, his comrades, who include many boys. The strike loaders refused to accept food and medicine which the authorities sent down the shaft.