INSIDE RUSSIA

Manawatu Standard, Volume LXV, Issue 84, 8 March 1945, Page 6

INSIDE RUSSIA

WHAT DELEGATION FOUND. (N.Z. Press Association. —Copyright.) (Rec. 12.25 p.m.) LONDON, Mar. 7. The British Parliamentary delegation, headed by Hon. Walter Elliot, after a 42-day tour of Russia, made a statement that it had reached the following conclusions:— (1) There was an enormous amount of vigour and determination, not only for the war but for future internal development. The people's recovery from the German occupation and invasion was very remarkable. (2) There was an intense desire for education.

(3) The impression gained throughout the entire country was that the industrial revolution was in full swing.

(4) There was the inevitable strain resulting from the war and a great unsatisfied desire for consumer goods. (5) Ihere was great interest in lands outside Russia, or rathe*' in the people in those lands. The Russians are convinced about their own achievements and want to show them to otliers. The Russians also wish to know how others live, .and gain their goodwill. Tlie delegation talked with Marshal Stalin and M. Molotov. Marshal Stalin's attitude to Germany was that of a man "whose country had suffered great injustices from Germany and was not inclined to forget". Marshal Stalin said: "Trade with Britain must and will be restored."

The delegation found Russian students taking up English as a second langauge. 1 hey found women doing heavier types of war work than British women. One 34-yeur-old mother of two children was second-in-command of a large industrial works.