Russian Hopes For Industry

Press, Volume CIV, Issue 30820, 4 August 1965, Page 17

Russian Hopes For Industry

(N. Z.P.A. -Reuter—Copyright)

MOSCOW, August 3.

The new Soviet leadership is expected to abolish or at least greatly modify the system of regional management of industry introduced by the former Premier, Mr Nikita Khrushchev, in 1957, the “New York Times” news service reported.

Discussion of the reform has been under way in the inner circles of the Communist Party and Government for several months. The decisions are to be announced at the forthcoming meeting of the party’s policy-making central committee, expected in about a month.

Soviet leaders have been taking their time in formulating new planning and management principles, emphasising a need for a sober, “scientific solution” to the nation’s problem and denouncing the frequent and hasty changes introduced by the volatile Mr Khruschev.

Although the substance of the high-level discussions has not leaked out, passing references in the party’s newspapers and journals have suggested the over-all direction in which events are moving. Latest Clue The latest clue was provided yesterday in an editorial of “Pravda,” the Soviet Communist Party’s newspaper, urging greater effectiveness of scientific and industrial research. The newspaper said the actual pay-off of technical progress did not correspond

to the vast volume of research under way. The leading article laid part of the blame at the door of the present regional management councils, which control a substantial share of the nation’s 5000 research institutions.

The leading article pointedly noted that the planning and management reform now being worked out would help correct the situation.