BACK FROM RUSSIA

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXI, Issue 21961, 19 November 1934, Page 17

BACK FROM RUSSIA

FACTS AND THEORIES VISITOR'S IMPRESSIONS [F.ROM: OTFR OWN CORRESPONDENT] LOJTDON, Oct. 9 The' story is told by the Daily Express of a" Mr. John Brown, who has been on a t;our of Russia at Lord Nuffield's expense. This story began last May. John Brown, ex-tramp, author, boxer, and novelist, stood outside the Morris motor 1 works selling Communist literature to Lord Nuffield's workers. A motor-car drove up and Lord Nuffield accosted Brown. A heated discussion followed. All a result Mr. Brown last month -sailed for Russia to otudy conditions as they really are, free of all cost to himself.

Mr. Brown has now given his impressions. "I learned enough Russian to gel; about on my own," he said. "I avoided all guides. I wanted to find out things for myself. I covered 4000 miles altogether, and got into certain factories in spite of official refusals. .1 worked on a Moscow subway and met commissars, generals, and directors. "My general impression is that the facts do not, fit the theory. In theory Communism should increased enormously the standard of living of the workers since 1917. I expected the standard to be at least comparable with the Western European countries. But it will take at least five five-year plans before that has been accomplished. "There is no unemployment, but it is not quite so pleasant as it sounds. If you n-ant a ration card you have got to have a job of some sort. It is easy to get a divorce, but if you have more than one you cannot get promotion. You just say you want a divorce and get if on the spot. "Even tha highest paid workers in Russia are on a lower standard of living than men on the dole in" England."