To Russia With an Open Mind

Manawatu Times, Volume 63, Issue 45, 23 February 1938, Page 3

To Russia With an Open Mind

FALMERSTONIAN SPEAKS OF INTERESTING TOUR

“I could talk for an hour and tell you nothing but good of Russia, and you would think me a thorough Communist. There are certain things in Russia, the most interesting country of thirteen I visited in Europe, which I much admire, but for all that Russia is the last place in which an Englishman would care to live. Even though they have advanced a long way, as Russians, they are still a long way below our standard. Theirs is miles below that of New Zealand.”

The above statement was made by Mr. P. B. Hutchins, of Palmerston North, on his return from an extended tour overseas. Because of so many conflicting reports about the country, Mr. Hutchins had taken a special interest in Russia. He said it was a country full of contradictions. The Russians had many things that we could copy. As an instance they were very far advanced in education and the care of children. In that, particularly, he admired them to a certain extent. There were more huge buildings in course of erection in Russia than in any other European country. The Russians, as a nation, were now moving very fast. The people generally were very poor, but not so poor as he had seen people in other countries, not “down to the last ditch." Leningrad had a neglected air, but if one asked a Russian about it lie would say that they were building another city. Yet it appeared that many fine buildings had not been properly cared for. Pood and Buildings. Food was plentiful in Russia, and there was a good range available, Mr. Hutchins explained. The Government food shops were plentifully stocked and the hotels and boats were good, although the railways were somewhat antiquated and bumpy, while New Zealand trains appeared antiquated beside the ones met with in America. The new Moscow Hotel was a structure of 3000 rooms and on the opposite side of the street there were the Government office buildings, which, although the visitor had not -learned the number of rooms in them > appeared to cover the same area. It was the aim to make the Palace of the Soviets the tallest building in the world, 200 feet higher than the Empire State Building in New York, and, generally, one gained the impression that many of the huge buildings were much ahead of their time.

In regard* to education, Mr. Hutchins commented that he had not seen the people of any country so keen to secure books as in Russia. The Government conducted the bookshops on the street and any evening one could see young people selecting their books. They were all good material, but did. not include the lighter class of literature. Only five per cent, of the Russians were now illiterate, whereas before the revolution the figure had been 84 per cent. However, it was the last place an Englishman would care to live in, and the first thing that would irk him was the suppression of personal opinion. One could not possibly stand on a street corner in Russia and state one’s views as in New Zealand, and when he was in Russia he was very careful to write in his diary only the

3 ■ good side of the story, leaving the rest r to be written after he was across the border. The Customs search was mos* r thorough, and anything written, even i though it be only a travel ticket, was 1 investigated by a special official. Touring Russia had to be done . through the official channels, particulari ly so because of one’s purse, Mr. Hutl chins explained. As far as he could L see, a rouble bought what 21d would in ; New Zealand, but only 26 roubles went to the pound. As a result, a pair of “very ordinary" women’s shoes cost . about £lO in our money on exchange. To ! obviate that the traveller arranged his tour through the recognised channel ■ and the charges were £l, £1 15s and £3 • per day, according to class, including boat, train, taxi, hotel, personal service ■ —everything. The various services were paid for by moans of a coupon system. Gen nan Militarism. Germany wa s easily the most militaristic country he had visited, said Mr. Hutchins. He and Mrs. Hutchins were in Berlin at the time of the air-raid precautions which had been scheduled to last a week but were restricted to three days on account of the outcry of the people. One hundred and fifty bombing ’planes had been used to attack a section of the city, about a mile and a-hai.f square, with smoke bombs, and the Germaifk even went to the extent of tearing up tramlines and bursting water mains so that their repair squads should have the opportunity of repairing them'under wartime conditions. For 8. whole day after the operations a pall of smoke hung over the city. Over bridges on the Rhine the visitors saw convoys passing with military trucks and artillery, all camouflaged. Troops were seen marching here and there. Two squads of.youths were seen at Cologne, the boys being from nine to 112 years of age, under elder boys of 17 or 18. Those in charge were strict disciplinarians, and punished offenders with a vigorous exercise. The same suppression of personal opihion as in Russia applied in Germany and Italy, Mr. Hutchins continued. The Italians as a nation were poor, due evidently to general economic conditions and to taxation. Italy was indeed one of the poorest countries on the Continent. Food was coarse and very scarce. In Germany, even at a good class hotel, there was but one meat available, and if one did not like that one went without. At another time there was no butter, on the breakfast table, which was a more serious omission in a Continental breakJrast than it would be here. “People in New Zealand do not realise how well off they are," said ’ Mr. Hutchins. “They need to go to some of the other countries to see that. Our conditions compare more than favourably with those of any other country In the world. ”