RUSSIA AND A CHALLENGE.

Hutt News, Volume 6, Issue 5, 5 July 1933, Page 5

RUSSIA AND A CHALLENGE.

»ir,—At Dr. Begg'ft N.Z. Legion meeting in the King George Theatre •n Thursday, i22nd inst, out worthy mayor, as chairman, and an enthusiastic member of the New Zealand Legion, made certain statements which require farther examination. Prior to investigating the^aid matter, let it toe dearly

understood that no ayology is offered for hereby defending Kussia and all that it stands for. The Communist objective of Russia does not require any apologies. "By their fruits ye shall know them." The revolutionary f raits ,of Russia can stand up to all thp criticism' that our worthy inaydr, and. his .leader Dr. Begg, can bring forward.. Here are a few "fruits" to chew over, and Mr. Andrews, can be supplied with jniore, after he has digested the following: —

The French paper ' 'Temps'' stated in January 1932: —"The U.S.S.R has won the 'first round and is hoing industrialized without' the aid of foreign capital."

The 'British journal, "The Kound Table":—"The achievement of the Fivo Year Plan represents au amazing spectacle. Soviet industry, like a well watered plant, growls and strengthens . . . The Five Year Plan has laid the foundations of future development and has tremendously strengthened the power of the U.S.S.R."

"The Financial Times": —"The successes attained in the engineering industry aro beyond doubt. The praise given to these succsses in the press •and in speeches is by no means unfounded." '

"The Austrian paper, "Neve Freii Presso" 1932: — ' 'Bolshevism, may be cursed but it must be known. The Five Year Plan is a new Colossus which must be taken into account and at any rate into economic considera-

tion."

"Gibson Jarvie, President of the United Dominion Bank, October 1932: —"I,want to explain that 1 am not v Bolshevik. lam definitely a Capitalist and an Individualist. Russia is driving forward while too many of our factories are idle and some three millions of oi.r people are searching for work. Russia to-day is a land with a soul and au ideal. Russia is a country of ainuKinfe. activity. 1 believe that Russia's aspirations are kelthy. Perhaps -the must important thing is that the entire youth and the; workers in Russia have, one thing which unfortunately to-day is lacking in capitalistic count.ries, namely, Hope."

The American journal "The Na/tion" November 1932:—"The four years of the first Five Yea/ Plan have brought with them truly/remarkable achievements. The Soviet Union worked with, war-time intensity over the creative task of 'building the. fouuda-

tions of a new life. The face of the land changes literally to the-point of lrrecoguizability. This is true -of Moscow with its hundreds of uowljf. paved streets and squares, new buildings, new suburbs .and a cordon of new factories on its outskirts. This is true also" of

the relatively less important cities. New cities have sprung up on the steppes and deserts, not just a few towns but at least 50 cities with populations ranging from 50,000 to 250,000. The landmarks of the Soviet plains are no longer-crosses and domes of churches but grain elevators and silo towers. The collective farms build houses, barns, etc. Electricity penetrates the villages; radio and newspapers have conquered .it. The -workers are learn--ing to operate the latest machines. Peasant youths are producing and operating farm machines which are bigger and more complex than anything America has ever seen. Russia is beginning to be machine minded. Russia is quickly passing from .the ago of .wood to the age of iron, concrete, steel and

motors.''

This gives a slight indication of the achievements of Russia, under the leadership of ' that alleged disruptive element in modern society —tho Communist Party. You Will note, sir, that all the sources quoted aro highly respected Capitalist eofacerns, and therefore our worthy mayor will recognise such authorities as -authentic.

Now to return to the matter of. Mr Andrews's statements'tat the-meeting. He said that a deputation had waited upon him recently and an -offer was made to pay my fare to Russia. This is incorrect. vLet me remind Mr Andrews of the exact position. When the mayor asked me why I did not go to Kussia, I said that .financial reasons made it impossible. To this he agreed. There was no offer on that occasion. However, on Thursday he definitely stated at Dr. Begg's meeting that if I would give an undertaking not to .return to New Zealand ho would, pay my fare to.Russia. Well sir, as justification of my confidence in the present and future conditions of the Bolshevistic, sneered at, jeered at,' Communistic Russia; and also to provide Mr. Andrews with an opportunity to grove the sincerity of his attitude towards that country, I am going to accept his offer, provided Mr Andrews will .pay the cost of passage to' Russia, of, my wife, three children and myself, I shall give the required undertaking immediately1 the arrangements arc mado for my departure. Trusting this will be soon.—l .am, for Communist Russia,

&EQSG.E WATT