FAMINE IN RUSSIA.

Evening Star, Issue 21879, 16 November 1934, Page 14

FAMINE IN RUSSIA.

TO THE EDITOR. Sir, —In reply to “ Onlooker ” we would remind him that there is considerable propaganda in the country to convince our people that the Soviet policy should be introduced here, in order to improve our conditions. The mention of this matter of food shortage was to show that the policy of collective State-farming had not realised the results anticipated, nor had it even equaled the production under the system of individual farming. Our authority is that of certain Soviet officials and the Soviet publications. “ Onlooker ” suggests that conditions in New Zealand arc equally bad, but while some of our conditions are bad they are not remotely comparable with what is happening in the stricken Ukraine and Azov districts. To improve the conditions which our unemployed experience is a matter of finance. The Board has to work wihtin its income, and Mr Bromley of any other chairman, whether “ elected by the people ” or appointed by the Government, can do nothing else. To give better conditions would involve increased taxation for the fund. The price of milk for our fanners is governed by the export prices received from abroad. New Zealand cannot govern those prices. The deplorable conditions mentioned by Kalinin and others in some parts of Russia are the direct result of a new policy which has not proved successful. The two positions are not comparable. It is ridiculous to compare Mr Bromley’s position as a Government appointeee under a Minister, administering a settled fund, with Stalin’s absolute dictatorship.—We are, etc., New Zealand W elf ahe League. Wellington, November 14. P.S.—lt would be interesting to know what cheese factories only pay 2d a gallon for a farmer’s milk output.