Inflation? ‘Nyet,’ say Russians

Press, Volume CXV, Issue 33819, 16 April 1975, Page 26

Inflation? ‘Nyet,’ say Russians

(Xeir Zealand Press Association) AUCKLAND. Members of a Russian Parliamentary delegation responded with an emphatic “Nvet” when asked on their arrival in Auckland today whether Soviet consumers faced the same steep price rises as their Western counterparts.

“Our prices are stable. Inflation does not exist in our country." said the delegation leader. Mr Grigory Vashchenko, the chairman’of the Budgetary Commission of the Soviet Utiion. The other members of the delegation, which will spend a week touring New Zealand, are Mr Konstantin Belyak. Minister of Machine Building for Livestock Raising and Fodder Production, and Mrs Nina Shoustovskaya. a member of the Commission on Consumer Goods. Thev are accompanied by Mr Vassily Vysotin. head of the Department of International Ties of the Supreme Soviet Presidium, and Mr Yuri Pavlov, from the Soviet Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Mrs Shoustovskaya describes her work on the Consumer Commission as “defending the rights of the consumer and supplying them with a widening assortment of goods. “I know what efforts are being made in this direction, because I work as a sewing machine operator in a fac-

tory near Minsk when not involved in political work,’ the attractive young woman said. She was indignant at < suggestions that Russian con- ' sumers wanted “Western stvle” goods. , ’“Our style is dominant,” I she said. Her presence in the cham- ' bers of the Supreme Soviet I is not unusual—there were i 475 women members out of a ■ Total of 1517 representatives, ’ Mrs Shoustovskaya said. The Soviet Union undoubtedly led the world in women’s liberation, Mr /Vashchenko said. But another f liberation, that of Europe " from Fascist and Nazi forces, ’ provided a strong link between “our two countries,” L ihe said. I “We are here on the eve ■ of the thirtieth anniversary • of our united victory in - Europe,” he said. T On April 25. 1945. Ameri--1 can and Russian liberating h forces met at Torgau, on the ■Elbe River. ; On Friday, the Russian . delegation will lay a wreath » at the National War - Memorial hall of memories