NEW PARLIAMENT IN MOSCOW

Press, Volume LXXIV, Issue 22304, 19 January 1938, Page 9

NEW PARLIAMENT IN MOSCOW

* MEMBERS IN CRITICAL MOOD HIGH OFFICIALS MEET WITH CENSURE FEWER CONSULATES WANTED IN LENINGRAD (CirITED PEE 39 *S3OCIiTIO» — COPTEIOBT.) (Received January 18, 9 p.m.) MOSCOW, January 17. General criticisms of highlyplaced officials were a feature of the opening of the new Soviet Parliament. The chairman of the Foreign Affairs Committee (M. Andrei Zhdanov) demanded an explanation why there were so many foreign consulates in Leningrad, many of which were exceeding their functions. He declared that there must not be more consulates in Russia than Russia has abroad. He further criticised the Commissar for Transport (M. Pakhomov) for failing to load 8000 tons of oil, in accordance with requirements, and also for the many accidents in the Black and Caspian Seas. M. Bagrov, a deputy from Baku, attacked M. Krilenko, Commlssur for Justice, for not discharging his duties properly,'because of too much chess playing and mountaineering. He demanded M. Krilenko’s dismissal. M. Zhdanov said; “I cannot understand what is happening in Francs, and why they tolerate the existence of terrorist, anti-Soviet organisations. The Commissariat of Foreign Affairs must take into consideration this defect on the part of a Government with which we have a pact of mutual assistance.” M. Zhdanov demanded a sterner policy against “Japanese hooliganism.” Members of the new Parliament voted themselves salaries of £37 a month, with £5 a day during the session. TM. Viacheslav Molotov, who resigned the Premiership, has been commissioned to form a new Cabinet. M. Michail Kalinin has been nominated as chairman of the Supreme Soviet Presidium, of which M. Joseph Stalin was also selected a member. M. Kalinin’s appointment came as a surprise to those expecting M. Stalin to become head of the State, but it appears that he preferred to rule through the leadership of the Communist Party.