Notes on the News

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXXIII, 5 July 1939, Page 4

Notes on the News

Soviet Government In Kussia In view of the negotiations for an ■Anglo-Frencli-Kussiaii pact the following facts about the mechanism of Soviet Government in Russia are interesting:—Soviets in Russia perform administrative functions roughly comparable to those of municipal councils, state legislatures, Congress, in the United States (says ‘‘Times’’). Originally committees formed in factories and towns when the Tsar's authority broke down, there are now 70.0(H) of lhem to whom delegates, not always Communist Party members, are elected by secret ballot in direct elections, but from candidates selected by the Communist Party. Over local soviets are soviets of townships, over them soviets of regions, over them soviets of the twelve national districts, nine '‘autonomous. regions.” 22 “autonomous republics" and eleven ‘‘constituent republics” iulo which the country is divided, all nominated and elected in the same way. On top of the whole heap is 1 lie Supreme Council of two houses'. To Moscow . recently to hear Dictator Stalin there came: 5G9 deputies to the Council of Union, elected for four-year terms on the basis of one for each •)<*().- 00<> population. 574 delegates of 34 nationalities to the Council of Nationalities. Ukraine. Uzbek on the Afghanistan Imr ier, Turkmen on tlie Caspian, Armenian. Georgian, si- mher “constituent republics” scut 23 each. Tartars from the Volga. Karelians from the swampy north. P.nriat-Mongolimis from the shores of i.ake Baikal. Moldavians from the south-western borders of the Ukraine.' IS other “autonomous republics” sent eleven each, while 43 came from nine regions and twelve from national districts like Komi. Chukotsk in the . retie. Of the 1143 in both house*. 13 are under 20. 284 are under 30. S 3! under 40, seven over on. The Air Fleets Of The Powers In a speech refuted yesterday. Air Marshal land Trenehard declared that the British Navy. Army and Air Force, were more powerful than they had ever been in peace-time. The following estimate of the strength of the air fleets of the Great Powers as supplied by Mr. Thomas, of Texas, to the United States House of Representatives during a recent debate, is of interest. They arc tlie official figures from the War Department t,» the Military Affairs Council of Congress. First-line machines:— Great Britain 7100 Russia 3,-00 Daly 4000 United States Army and Navy 3500 •lapa li *. 3100 France 2700

Jinks: “You look terribly depressed, old man.” Binks: “Yes, I quarrelled with the missus, and she vowed not to speak to me for a week.” “Well, you must make the best of it.” “I have, but the week’s up to-day.”