SOVIET REWARDING MERIT

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXX, 23 May 1936, Page 11

SOVIET REWARDING MERIT

IMPORTANT CHANGES The Soviet Government has issued a decree introducing, from Ist April, important changes in the privileges enjoyed by the holders of orders of merit ill the Soviet Union, says the Riga correspondent of “The Times.” These orders confer on their holders not only honour and distinction, but also material advantages, in particular a monthly bonus or pension. The chief military and civil distinctions are the Orders of Lenin, the Flag, the Labour Red Flag, the Red Star and the Badge of Honour. The pensions henceforth to be paid to the holders of these distinctions are, respectively. 25, 20, 15, 15 and 10 roubles a month. Idle payments are in addition to wages, salaries and all other forms of premium. This means of encouraging loyalty and devotion has become an important feature of recent Soviet policy, and orders of merit are conferred by the hundred nearly every week, amounting to between 3000 and 4000 since the New Year, not including awards of the Military Order of the Red Flag. As the recipients are mostly comparatively young, these distinguished and pensioned citizens will grow into an important and privileged class if the policy be continued for . any length of time.