CONDITIONS IN RUSSIA

Manawatu Standard, Volume XLIX, Issue 101, 28 March 1929, Page 2

CONDITIONS IN RUSSIA

RULE UNDER THE SOVIET. NEW ZEALAND WOMAN’S TOUR. The somewhat common conception of Russia as a mystery land of intrigue and ruthless oppression is not held in its entirety by Miss M. M. Gibson, of Christchurch, who is visiting New Zealand after spending five vears teaching in a mission school in Peking, China. Before returning to New Zealana, Miss Gibson passed • through Russia on her way to England. Although she spent only sixteen days in the country she was able to gain some idea of conditions under the Soviet. It had to be admitted there was widespread and often acute poverty in Russia, Miss Gibson stated, but in Moscow and other large cities the people did not convoy the impression that they were in great distress. Leaving China about the middle of last year Miss Gibson traversed Japanese Manchuria and joined the tram for the journey across the great transSiberian railway. This service in itself was something of a revelation. The train was comfortable and fast and it passed through magnificent forest lands and mountain and lake scenery. It was now a serious rival to the sea ways from the East as it took only a fortnight to ‘ reach London from Japan. Thousands were now crossing Siberia to make a fast journey to Europe, Evidence of poverty amongst the peasants was provided along the line, and children would willingly exchange great armfuls of lily of the valley for a banana or an apple. THE SOVIET CAPITAL. Moscow was a place of unending interest as the centre of the Soviet’s economic experiments and social rule. Visitors were not unwelcome in any part •of Russia, although their passports were subject to close scrutiny. In Moscow, where one expected to find the age-long secrecy of the Kremlin pervading the whole of the vast city, Miss Gibson was shown many sides of life. Of particular interest was the cooperative system of trade. She was assured that this was not distasteful to 'many, although the man with capital found no avenue for individual trade or enterprise. The State dominated, and it appeared to satisfy the man who ordinarily would be subject to economic stress. The average worker was the one who benefited under the system. Miss Gibson visited a large hall filled with stalls of every description. Here a baker sold his goods next to a butcher and all kinds of commodities were ranged on every side. The shopper selected what he wanted, and on leaving paid for his purchases at a common cash desk. This emporium was controlled by the State and none of the stalls were run privately. There certainly existed poverty in Moscow, nlthough the casual visitor was _ not brought into direct contact with it. -NATIONALISM IN CHINA. Of China Miss Gibson speaks with considerable authority as sne studied its social problems closely. She maintains that it is still one of the most misunderstood of nations, the greatest offenders in this respect being those who have gone there to exploit its people and its resources. With hardly 10 per cent of its population of 485.000,000 educated, the country still, presented intricate problems to those who pressed the process of westernisation. Like Japan, China found her national spirit through the coming of the foreigner, but this Spirit was not, as commonly supposed, one of blfcnd hatred toward all aliens. China today did not understand why she should not control her own destiny. However, she realised the value of the Westerner to her ends, and asked for co-operation, not exploitation. The Nationalists had made great headway in the past 20 years, and although it was too early to see the full fruits of the movement it certainly seemed as though a new era had dawned in the history of a troubled land. Slowly China was acquiring a new individualism, born of the Western influence upon her ancient traditions. So great was her resources that, properly organised, the country could he as self-supporting as the United States. The foreigner who set out to make a fortune out of the Chinese would never make a penny profit. The Chinese would see to that. EDUCATIONAL ADVANCES. Wars and rumours of wars had occurred in China lately, but Miss Gibson thought reports of the recent troubles. had been greatly exaggerated. -Civil war in China was not the terrifying thing the rest of the world thought it was. Rival generals disputed leadership, but they had no desire to destroy their own wonderful cities. Usually. they repaired to a distant plain or gully ta shoot one another. The sony thing about these wars was the disease which followed in the wake of every army. • Schools in Pekin, as in other cities, was almost legion, Miss. Gibson said. Every school and university had now to be registered and Chinese principals only were permitted, although the first assistant might be a foreigner. Thus the Chinese were gaining control of their own edupcational system. English was taught everywhere more time being given to its study than in an English school. This was remarkable, and Miss Gibson said it was hard to explain, unless English was destined to become the common language for intercourse among the people of the Pacific. The standard of the universities was comparable with that of the average American institution, whose methods had been widely introduced. Although it had to be remembered that this advanced educational system affected only a 'small portion (of the country, its effects would no doubt be felt in time. The Nationalist Government was not elective. But it was behind the forward move and it controlled the . country. Therefore it seemed that by fostering a spirit of co-operation with other nations holding interests in the country and by profiting by their methods, China held the one sure key to her future advancement.