SHUT DOWN.

Taranaki Daily News, 25 October 1921, Page 7

SHUT DOWN.

MOUNT MORGAN MISERY. Rockhampton, Oct. 10. A terrible tale comes from Mount Morgan where the mine has now been closed for 28 weeks, with not the slightest prospect of re-opening. The position has grown worse and worse, and hundreds of women and children are suffering severely. Men are becoming despondent, and it Is freely stated that it will not be long before the breaking point is reached. Great credit is due to the women who have borne their miseries uncomplaingly. Many of them are without boots and have not left their homes for three months, while some children have to either stay away from school or go naked. The people have been existing on a miserable pittance of Government rations, eked out by occasional doles of union relief.

Mount Morgan miners are urged to stand firm, as it is stated that an attempt to reduce their wages was an organised conspiracy to reduce wages in Australia.

Neither the union leaders nor the company have made a move towards the Arbitration Court to have the wages reviewed, the former, it is stated, because wage reduction is almost certain to be ordered, which it is feared would be the prelude to a general wage reduction, while the company fears that the reduction might not be’ sufficient to enable it to start work. The stoppage of the mine has caused houses to be sold at a sacrifice. Should the mine re-open the question of accommodation for the employee* will be yeQr