LECTURE ON RUSSIA

Grey River Argus, 19 June 1933, Page 8

LECTURE ON RUSSIA

Mr J. Doyle’s Account In the Lyceum Halt on Thursday night an interesting aud instructive address on Russia, was given by ATr. Jack Doyle, who recently returned and is now touring the country under the auspices of the Friends of the Soviet. Union. The lik.ll was filled 1o capacity, and Air. Hillman, Secretary of the Waterside Workers, was voted to the chair. He briefly introduced the speaker who, he said, was well known on the West Coast. Air. Doyle opened his address by pointing out the necessity of the people getting the truth of what was actually happening in Russia and maintained that practically all that appeared in the public press about that vast, country was untrue. He. then dealt with certain publications that featured anti-Russian propaganda. T’hii speaker briefly surveyed the economic conditions prevailing in the capitalist countries of the world and moved on 1o London. His description of what he saw in various places put a different complexion on what is so widely advertised by the publicity departments of various tourist agencies. Air. Doyle voyaged to Russia, on one of the numerous passenger cargo vessels that travel between London and Leningra-d during the summer months. These vessels have excellent accommodation for passengers, the fittings in the cabins, saloons, music rooms, etc., (leaving nothing to be desired, the acIcommodation for the crow is very :good, and includes a nicely furnished social room; altogether the conditions aro immoasura.bly superior to that on the ships of other countries. There are thousands of tourists travelling to Russia from other countries, including world famous men and women, am] each year registers a big increasae. Russian tours are considered, the speaker said, to be 'the cheapest and most interesting in j pho world, and one has loss trouble | Jn arranging a tour than to some of 1 the other foreign countries. It seemed ridiculous that New Zealand should [have a threo-year ban on anv svmpathiser who had visited Russia, while one was quite free to go from England. Air. Doyle had 1 ivolled ex-te.'isi\-ely in Russia, visited factories, museums, churches, prison-, hospitals, [Creches, park’s of culture ami rest, the mining area of the Imbas, the limber area of M- isefeka, the textile centre ; ,t I va novo-A’osnosreuk'o and other places. His descript ion of thf£.»e places ’was graphic’, ami an explanation of the committee system of running the various industries, etc., was certainly enlightening. '|'he committees are elected by the' \yorkers on the job and at certain stated time's all the workers can take part in the discussions, which gives them a real

chance of becoming conversant with 1 the running of tho industry, The educational facilities, opportunities for cultural development and the social insurance schemes which provide for free rest houses, night and day rest home, medical, hospital and maternity treatment, with wages paid all the time, puts- in the shade anything existing in other countries. The contrast between the old and tho new right throughout Russia was glaring. Ono of the most important aspects of Russia, is the new spirit permeating the people, especially the children and the youths. The speak* er said it was both wonderful ami contagious, the idealism of youth has a real chance of being put into practice, the future is theirs and they are consciously taking part in the building of the now social order, and the Y.C.L. (the Young Communist League) carry out a campaign against smoking, drinking and swearing, and to see them in their demonstrations is thrilling. But everything in Russia is not ideal and anyone who expects it to be in so short a space of time would bo unreasonable. The standard of living was improving rapidly. At the conclusion of his address the speaker was asked many questions, which be answered in an able and < on vincing manner. In reply to one, relative to Ihe reported persecution of religion, lie maintained there was no religions persecution in Russia. lie contended the ’Moscow trial proved the British engineers guilty, and the leniency shown by the Russians was in striking contrast to the. treatment meted out in capitalist countries for similar offences. In tho speaker's opinion Russia w«s tho only country in tho world where the people as a whole, had an opportunity of developing real homo life, this was because they enjoyed economic security. The marriage and divorce laws wore simple, clean and effective. When iiu more questions were forthcoming, Mr. T. Barry moved a hearty vote of thanks to tho speaker, which was seconded by the chairman, this being carried with acclamation.