Soviet economy

Press, 4 November 1978, Page 14

Soviet economy

Sir, — Contrary to the opinion expressed in James J. Read’s letter (November 1) I have not “suggested” that there is no inflation in the Soviet Union. I assert it. categorically. Inflation is a condition in which the currency chronically depreciates. No such condition afflicts the rouble. The term “industrial relations” has valid application only to class society in which relations between private employers and employees predominate. There are. no private employers, in the Soviet Union, "there is only socia' ownership. I have never claimed that there have been no price increases since 1949, but taking account of price increases and not price cuts and regular wage and salary increases has no significance. The Leningrad University survey’s percentages are worthless unless they show the percentages of the number of workers surveyed. How a scheme devised to save 100 roubles a worker a year can be interpreted “as an effective wage cut of 8 or 9 per cent” passes comprehension. — Yours, etc., M. CREEL. November 1, 1978.