Russian Life

Manawatu Times, Volume 60, Issue 196, 21 August 1935, Page 9

Russian Life

THE MARRIAGE SYSTEM WELFARE OF CHILDREN “There aro two sides to tho story of Soviet Russia. A tourist who has been there for a few weeks can cither condemn or praise, and can give good reasons on both sides; but when you have lived with the Russians for a couplo of years you cannot but realise that they have done something wonderful,” said Mr E. J. Stirniman, an American agricultural engineer, who is visiting Christchurch. He was until recently associated with the Soviet Grain Trust, travelling extensively through the Union. “On the human or social side you would have to criticise the Soviet if you compare it with typical Western conditions, say those of New Zealand, •’ Mr Stirniman continued; “but the only fair opinion is that based on their own'conditions. Tho mlcrs have taken a backward State, turned it upside down and mechanised it faster than any other country in the world.”

Divorce Pee Raised. ' The Soviet marriage system was freo and easy, said Mr Stirniman in reply to a question about social conditions. There was. no long marriage ceremony. The parties simply went to a bureau and signed up, : Either party could effect a divorce just as simply. For divorce there had formerly been a fee of two roubles, but lately it had been increased to live.. There was no time .limit. A couple just married could get a divorce as soou as they could get a place in the queue at the divorce bureau. __ There wre restrictions on divorce to ensure adequate care of children, but tho conditions were always changing, Mr Stirniman explained. If a man divorced his wife, and they had children, she could demand one-third of his wages. A note to this effect would bo put on his union card so that, wherever he obtained employment in the Soviet, the Government could make him toe the mark. No mau could get work without hi 3 card. . Tho Soviet method of making: it impossible for a man to get- away from his obligations presented a favourable comparison with conditions in British countries.

Different View of Life “The Western world may think freo divorce detrimental,-but in the Soviot they have a different view of life,” said Mr/Stirniman, “The people arc not supposed to have homes: they aro supposccd to live in common. Family life in common is not like family life in -individual - homes. “If a visitor tries to compare life in Russia .with life in the Western world,- lie would get a great shock at first, but as you live with it and compare, tho system with tho conditions of the Russian people you begin to think differently.’’ The wholo attention of the country was turned on mechanisation, and subjects which w r ero of vital interest to Europeans seemed of little importance to Russians.