GRAIN FAMINE

Manawatu Standard, Volume XLIX, Issue 103, 1 April 1929, Page 5

GRAIN FAMINE

CHAMBERLAIN AS BOGEY. SOVIET PEASANTS TORTURED. The British Foreign Minister, Sir Austen Chamberlain, has become the Soviet’s bete noir in some country districts, says the Riga correspondent of the London Times, in order to stimulate the collection of grain, with a view to reducing the bread shortage, especially in Moscow. The local Soviet at Petrobsk gathered 46 peasant grainholders and forced them to parade through the villages, carrying banners inscribed, “We are Chamberlain’s Friends.” Others, refusing to comply, were bound with cords and dragged at the tail of the procession. In another district grain holders were placed in the market place, while villagers danced around, jeering at “Chamberlain’s Friends.” In other areas different methods were used. In one instance, according to the journal Isvestia, the local Soviet organised a gang of bandits, who travelled the countryside with 40

wagons, and systematically stole grain from barns in daylight, while the police looked on approvingly. The anti-religious movement has also been identified with anti-Cham-berlainism. When the peasants were parading under tho anti-Chamberlain-banner, tho anti-religious collectors forced them to vote for the closing of the local church. The kulaks (well-to-do farmers) next day'started a proreligious campaign, and the collector was ducked by their womenfolk. . MOSCOW BREAD QUEUES. The London Daily News says that breadeards are being issued in Moscow, for the first time since 1920-21. Long queues wait in Soviet shops, in the vain hope of obtaining adequate rations.