SETBACK TO SOVIET GRAIN PLANS.

Manawatu Standard, Volume LIII, Issue 16, 16 December 1932, Page 11

SETBACK TO SOVIET GRAIN PLANS.

“ALARMING DECLINE.”

'The Soviet Government announced late in October that its grain plans have received another setback and that collectors are having a most difficult time in the countryside. After a brief improvement in September an alarming decline m the quantities collected began. During the last three weeks, which are the most important period of the whole campaign (says a Riga correspondent under date October 27) tire Government’s agents have not collected even half the stipulated quantities and the pace is slackening every week. It is officially explained that the failure this month is due largely to the disorder prevailing in the organisations which have sent agents into the countryside, and to the reluctance of the local authorities to give the necessary support. The peasants plead inability to surrender tho full quota, declaring that the Government 1 over-estimated the yield of the harvest. According to a statement, by the State Planning Commission, even some Soviet organisations have taken sides with class enemies and espoused the cause of the peasants, especially in the Black &oil territory, where officials openly flout orders from Moscow, waylay caravans, and compel the peasants to deliver their grain to special barns for local purposes. The Soviet Press says that tire difficulties are increased by disorganisation on the railways, and that thousands of tons, awaiting wagons, lie unprotected in the open air perishing.