DISILLUSIONED

Waihi Daily Telegraph, Volume XXVI, Issue 7906, 24 September 1929, Page 3

DISILLUSIONED

BRITISH MINERS' VISIT TO RUSSIA TERRIBLE CONDITIONS “LUCKY TO GET OUT ALIVE” Australian and N.Z. Cable. LONDON, September 22. The remarkably original plan of the management of the Tilmanstone colliery, which paid the expenses of two men to Russia, following on a constant dispute at the colliery, was most successful. It was stipulated that if the men found conditions preferable they would stay in Russia and their families would be sent to join them, otherwise they would quit employment with the company. An alternative was that they publicly address the miners truthfully and tell them what they saw. The men returned and said that they were lucky to get out alive. Addressing the 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 on their arrival in Moscow, although they were ravenously hungry, they could not eat the food, consisting of chunks of skewered beef, bread and water. Some of the sights in the streets were revolting and indescribable. Cripples and aged beggars of both sexes were sitting or lying on the pavements and in the gutters. Everything was most expensive. In street after street there were bread queues in which thousands waited all day for their daily ration. The housing is terrible. Many families live and sleep in one room. Thousands are workless. Sanitation is dreadful, and there are millions of flies infesting the miners’ houses and shacks. The colliers’ average output is three tons. This had to be obtained before the minimum wage was reached. If it were less the wages were reduced in proportion. There was intense official dislike for Messrs MacDonald, Clynes and Henderson.