INDESCRIBABLE.

Auckland Star, Volume LX, Issue 225, 23 September 1929, Page 7

INDESCRIBABLE.

SOVIET CONDITIONS. British Miners' Experiences In Russian Capital. GLAD TO GET OUT ALIVE. (Australian and N.Z. Press Association.) (Keceivcd 12 noon.) 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 bo sent to join them, otherwise they would quit employment in 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 tho food, consisting of chunks of skewered beef, bread and water. Some of the sights in the 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 ail 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 flics infesting the miners' houses and shacks.

Tho 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 ill proportion.

There was intense official dislike for Messrs. Mac Donald, Clynes and Henderson.