RUSSIA’S POPULATION

Manawatu Times, Volume 61, Issue 212, 8 September 1936, Page 10

RUSSIA’S POPULATION

it is estimated in Moscow’ that Russia’s population within tho next 85 years will have increased from 176,000,000 to the stupendous number of 500,000,000. Last year, when the country’s natural increase of population broke all records, reaching the figure of -1,500,000 lira Kremlin refused to be worried, he must realise that this huge increase is tho result of deliberate policy, says the London “Observer."

Up to now tho Bolsheviks have mainly concentrated on industrialising a backward agrarian country.in possession of tremendous natural resources. Now that they feel that this is on its way to fulfilment, they arc looking ahead and are determined to tackle even greater tasks

Tho thought of “IVorld Revolution" though relegated by them to tho background in tho course of tho internal struggle to socialise and collectivise Russia, has by no means been forgotten. “The final decisive struggle" between the Communists, who now control one-sixth of the globe on the one nand. and large sections of tlio united capitalist world on tho other, is not re tho Bolsheviks a mero fantastic cream, l ut a grim reality which calls tor adequate preparation. Hence the firm determination to increase the population. 'J he ei'senco of man-power, they are determined, is not to bo a deterrent in their forthcoming strugglo for power. YVilhin the next few years tney hopo to reach a natural increase of 7,066,600 a year. Billions of roubles arc now being set aside by the Government for the establishment of thousands of nurseries and

500 Millions in 35 Years

Kindergarten. Thousands of additional beds in maternity homes are being provided. The programme is sanctified by quotations from Lenin, who frankly urged workers to raise large families

sc* that they may have tho man-power necessary to wage the fight against eapitalism. “Workers must raise children, ’ he wrote, “who will fight for the remaking of the world. Wo fight bettor than our fathers, and our children will light even better than we. And they v,ill conquer.

As au immediate step in the direction of increasing the population, tho Kremlin has undertaken au earnest campaign to stabilise family life and generally set Soviet morals in order. Motherho- d is glorified, and divorced husbands who fail to provide alimony payments i'oi the support of their children me being punished by a period of

imprisonment. “Those who are inconsiderate of the welfare of their offspring and brutally abandon them, putting the burden of their upkeep on tho mothers, are discrediting the dignity of the Soviet citizen." Such is the tenor of a barrage of editorials that have been appearing m the Press within recent weens. Local authorities are convinced that as a result of the Government campaign, the birthrate in the country i» certain to increase and far exceed the natural increase of 4,50 n ,000 of last year. The Bolsheviks are, in fact, determined to become a world force of great magnitude, and are now setting out to plan their population Increase ever as they have been planning the con st ruction of factories and the agriciii tuiai output.