RUSSIA.

Maoriland Worker, Volume 9, Issue 349, 16 January 1918, Page 1

RUSSIA.

According to the Russian paper "C(K pec," ttoere has been discovered at the Kussian Ministries of Foreign. Affairs and Finance documentary proof of subsidies to three French papers, "Le Matin," "Figaro," and "Petit Journal." During the Czarist regime the ''Figaro" and "Petit Journal" received cash in the form of subscription for 10,000 copies of every issue. On© copy only of. each issue was sent to Petrograd. In 1915-16 the Russian cash contribution to the "Matin.* , were doubled, and in return for articles in that paper supporting the loans to Russia tens of thousands of roubles were paid from the Czar's .Exchequer, ostensibly to meet the cost of advertisements. In commenting upon these revelations, the "Populaire dv Centre" remarks that we can now the more readily understand the inflexible opposition of these great papers to.the caiuse of the Euesian Revolution. v At a recent meeting of the Moscow Union of Consumers' Societies,' it wai held that as the manufacturers wen closing .their premises and: declining to make any effort to meet Labor* demand for an adequate Triage,' it was thefdtity of Co-operation to supply the eCrasumer with all necessary commodities. "The question of profits should, jaofc. b< made an essential point 'decisive for Co* operation,' and the Union of Consume*** Societies would tfhen have little Sear of difficulties with labor." In Russia the credit societies form the basis of the Co-operative movement. Bur-* ing the war these societies bare been able to accumulate great reserves of capital. Now they are framing schemes for taking over the entire Russian foreign trade in grain and agricultural produce, leaving the private merchants and middlemen- to gain their livelihood in tome other way then at the expense of the peasaiut. Already Co-operative Societies of flax-growers and butter makers h«re gone far towards this complete control of foreign trade. Negotiations between the Government and the Co-operative Unions are far advanced towards making the Co-opsnative Societies solely responsible for tfr.o importation of certain good*, and for the export and. internal distribution of others. It is highly probable that the vital industry of the Russian Co-operative movement depends successful fruition of the Bewleiion,