THE “USEHOLD” IN RUSSIA

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LVI, 14 July 1925, Page 5

THE “USEHOLD” IN RUSSIA

One of the first acts of the Bolshevik revolution in Russia in 1917 was the confiscation of all land. The theory and the results of this (nationalisation are described by Mr G. C. Dixon, an Australian journalist who travelled through Russia last year. “Tile State i s the tiniveivfll landlord—there are, theoretically, no landowners in, Russia, to-day, hut only landusers. Every occupier of land must, acknowledge the over-lordship of the State and must submit to very definite restrictions. He must not, for instance, sell or mortgage his holding; and lie may not even transfer his own limited rights unless he van prove that lie is overcome by famine or some other natural calamity or called up as a conscript. Every member of his family able to work must, do so, and lie may rot, hire labour unless lie can show that assistance is absolutely essential. It has its appeal to a generous mind, this Utopian concent ion of a State in which everyone lives on the fruit of his own toil. But how does it work'in, practicef The answer is that the peasantry, from one end of Russia'to tin- other, is seething with discontent. Tim peasant -was promised land for all. independence, relief from exactions of his. luivllnrd, and a. voice in the Government of the country. He believed, good, simple soul, that, if lie could only he free of bis landlord, prosperity and happinevs would automatically follow. What does lie find? He is barred from the Communist. Party and the advantages that membership brings. The taxes demanded by the Soviet Government arc more oppressive than the rent once levied by the landlord. Famine-, are worse than they used to he, for the reason that the landlord of the old regime could usually advance sufficient capita! to tide his tenants over a bad time. And as a result: of the universal poverty and the subdivision of large rotates into small allotments, it is no longer possible fur the cultivators to use up-to-date fanning machinery, artilinial manures and the other essentials' lo efficient farming. . . . There is.

of course, a certain flection in the rural districts which believes in Bolshevik rule: hut the dmconteiit among the great majority is becoming so serious that even the Red leaders are beginning to realise that their system is built upon a smouldering volcano.” „