SOVIET REPUBLIC

Hawera Star, Volume XLVI, 1 June 1926, Page 5

SOVIET REPUBLIC

HAS COME TO STAY. REPORT OF CONSERVATIVES. INCREASED TRADE* ADVOCATED. BY CABLE—PRESS ASSOCIATION—COPYRIGHT. LONDON, May 29. “There is no cloubt whatsoever that the present Government has come to stay/’ says the joint report of' Sir Frank Nelson, M.P., Mr Robert Boothby, M.P., Major-General Sir N. J. Moore, M.P., and Captain R. C. Bourne, M.P., who toured Russia unofficially for the purpose of supplying , the Conservatives with first-hand information. The signatories suggest that Britain’s objectives towards Russia should be in the first place to check and ultimately to stop the anti-British propaganda*. Secondly, to obtain Russian recognition of pre-war private debts. Thirdly, to get as much money as possible for British nationals to whom debts are due. Fourthly, to .increase trade between Britain and Russia- for the. sake of our unemployed. “We are unable to see any insuperable difficulties if the Soviet gives undertakings with regard to the first, second and third clauses, and in view of the increasing activities of the Germans and American® we suggest that Britain should watch, the situation most carefully, in order that the pro-ha,ble early opportunity he not missed of securing diplomatic and commercial settlement.” The report is full of interesting disclosures. It proceeds: “We believe the fall of the Soviet is highly improbable. Nevertheless, its ideas of justice are farcical and are wholly based on political consideration, while there is no justification for the wholesale arrests, deportations without trial, .and even shootings. The economic system now adopted is peasantry based on the in- • dividual exchange of products, and industrialism baised on Socialism. All this is theoretically democratic, but in fact the Government is an autocracy, if not a tyranny, but transitions are proceeding surely and slowly. Though there is tolerance of all forms of religion, there goes on hand in hand with it the most insidious anti-Chris-tian propaganda by methods of ridiculing Christ and blaspheming His teachings which filled us with abhorrence. It is a country of amazing contradiction®. Private enterprise is discouraged, where not prohibited, yet it is evident even among the street walkers. However, everything is' in process of evolution in the Tight rather than in the wrong direction. ' “The sufferings of the upper and middle classes were l>ome out by our observations, while the workers .are benefited by privileges and concessions such as free theatres, cheaper food and accommodation, on which they have the first call. The position, briefly summarised, j® that the Russians are largely fatalists, and have passively accepted the new regime, and they are now mostly better off than they were previously. “This statement, detached from its context, muist not be supposed to show that we consider Communism as such to be a success. Nothing is further from our minds, because the present nvstem is" not Communism as we understand it. The so-called proletarian dictatorship is nothing more or less than extremely efficient dictatorship over the proletariat. Those who suffered, in the past have given up the .hope or desire for any radical change. We believe that evolution affords the best hope -of lightening their lot, and it is our conviction that closer sympathy and understanding between Europe nml Russia, will do much to assist this happy development. “While the financial position bristles with complexities, we have no hesitation in saying that the situation is in no sense dangerous. Tlhe country is far removed from imminent bankruptcy, anti the currency shows no sign of collapse. The financial jjolicy is sound —almost severe. Exports .are forecasted and imports are rationed accordingly, and grain exports are bound to increase. ~ “The Soviet does not conceal the fact that it wants trade with Britain, for which, a loan or long term credits will he necessary. As one member of the Soviet remarked: ‘London has the money, but disbelieves in our credit. Berlin believes in our credit, but has no money, unless it gets it via England, which to a certain extent it is : already idoing.’ ” The members of the deputation point out that Britain, in the meantime, may be losing an immense advantage, and may later find with Russia’s financial emergence that the opportunity of making fair terms for old loans and private debts has passed by. “We do not wholly rule out the possibility of a lien on revenue being given as security, though it is unlikely, but we know that a form of .security called- ‘concessions’ would- be considered,” says the report. The expressed opinion is that oiv the whole Russia is capable of presenting a great field for the judicious investment of British capital. ■ / “We view with increasing anxiety 'the Russo-German agreement, as it is not desirable that Germany should be the sole link between Russia ancl the rest of the world. The Soviet told us that they were prepared to resume negotiations with Britain. If so, we hone thev will be brought to a successful conclusion,” concludes the repor.