The Russia of To-day

Manawatu Times, Volume 61, Issue 239, 9 October 1936, Page 8

The Russia of To-day

EXPERIENCES OP TWO NEW ZEALANDERS

Conditions in' Russia wore described by Messrs J. B. King and D. Miller, two veteran members of tlio Labour movement in New Zealand, who have recently been working in the Soviet Union, the former for six years and the latter for two, in addresses in the Municipal hall, Palmerston North, last night. Mr. P. Lewin presided, and there was an attendance of over juU.

Mr. Miller stated that, after spending his earlier life in mining camps in New Zealand and Australia, ho had gone to Moscow. There he had found the workers unskilled but ready to learn. Ho had worked on the construction of the Moscow underground railway, which was ono of the finest engineering feats in the world. The system of tunuelling had been something new to him, and althougti it was a very satisfactory one, it had now been replaced by the most modern system in the world. During his stay there ho had found many phases of life that were new to him. The medical service was a wonderful one, and the speaker, having had cause to avail himself of it, could speak in the highest terms concerning it. After he had had to go to a rest home, where he had received highly skilled treatment, ho had found that his wages had gone on just the same. The Russians were well catered for in the way of sport and amusement, and they were tlio most happy people in the world. Attached to all industries wero clubs, and these provided useful social activity. Moscow, with its night life, was one of the gayest cities in Europe. Tho Russians found a pleasure in their work, and machinery was being utilised to the fullest extent to make the labours of tho worker easier. Tho achievements in Russia in recent years had never been equalled in the history of man, stated Mr. King, but unfortunately tliero had been distortion of tho facts by biased writers and class interests diametrically opposed to the working class and the broad mass of the people, including professional men. Throughout the world capitalism had reached its final stages. In order to appreciate the wonderful progress that had been made in Russia during t!'o last 11) years, it was necessary to i,ouek on the high peaks in the struggle that had taken place during the revolutionary years. The struggle for power had continued from 1917 to 192:.', tne country being left in a state of absolute ruin. Agricultural production had been only 30 per cent, of the pre-war level, and the industrial system was in a state of chaos. That had been the position when the foreign Bowers had recognised that the Bolsheviks were in control. At tho end of 1928 the industries had been put back to tho prewar level. Every obstaclo had been put by tho capitalists in tho way of the workers, but the latter had triumphed. To enable progress to bo made, the i’ive-Year Elan had been launched, anil at its conclusion, Russia ranked alongside any other industrial Power in Europe. Then a second Five-Year Blau had been launched and was now in its fourth year of operation. Russia was now the leading industrial nation in Europe and the second biggest in the world, and he ventured to predict that in five or six years' time Russia would lead the world. Prior to the workers taking charge, it had been the most backward country in Europe. During his stay in the country ho had never seen a discontented worker.

Mr. King then detailed conditions of work and life as he had found them in .Russia, dealing particularly with industrial organisations. The unions, lie stated, controlled the industries, which were the property of the people. To resist any challenge that might be made by a capitalist nation, Russia had equipped herself with strong defences, and her air fleet was something to be contended with. He had witnessed manoeuvres at Kiev wherein tanks, light artillery and thousands of men had been landed from the air behind an imaginary enemy’s line. After mentioning what was being done in the direction of educating and looking after the children, Mr. King said that racial antagonism had been eliminated and every effort was being made to foster national culture. What had been achieved in the Soviet Union was possible in every other country of the world, which was to-day approaching a crisis. Hew Zealand could not divorce itself from the world situation. A people’s front was needed, and, in conclusion, he urged all to work for the preservation of democracy and peace and tight against Fascism. After answering a number of questions, Messrs King and Miller were accorded a vote of thanks.

A reception was given Messrs King and Miller on their arrival in Palmerston North yesterday, speeches being made by representatives of the various trade unions in this centre, the Labour Party and the Communist Party.