RUSSIA’S FIVE-YEAR PLAN

Evening Star, Issue 21285, 14 December 1932, Page 3

RUSSIA’S FIVE-YEAR PLAN

TO THE EDITOR. Sir, —Tho article on the above in Saturday’s ‘ Star ’ is interesting, as is this quotation from tbe magazine of a late traveller in that country, I)r William J. Robinson, whose impressions and verdict have already received publicity in the editorial columns of the ‘ Star.’ Dr Robinson has in later issues of hjs magazine various small articles left over from his book and other writings, and in one he touches on the aspect of the problem dealt with by the writer of the article you publish—namely, the food shortage. The quotation draws an analogy with the individual man whose physical condition is such as to indicate a state of sluggishness and constipation, which in turn induces exactly that lack of energy and exercise which further intensifies his first condition:—“ Such a vicious circle now _ grips the Russian workman. For various well-known reasons, there is a shortage of food, particularly the energy-giving food such as meat and eggs. Because of the shortage of food the worker is undernourished, produces Jess, there is less to consume; and because he consumes less he produces less and less, and so a vicious circle is established. All who watched the Russian worker say that one American, German, or Englishman accomplishes as much in a given time as three or five Russians. To cure a patient who is the victim of a vicious circle, the circle must be broken at some point.’ So the above-mentioned patient must be cured or at least temporarily relieved of his constipation and his sluggish liver; he is then made to take gradual exercise until he is eventually cured. The Russian workman must be fed better before he can be expected to produce more and become in general more efficient.”—l am, etc., , Advocate. December 12.