NEW CONSTITUTION

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXIII, Issue 22444, 13 June 1936, Page 14

NEW CONSTITUTION

SOVIET REPUBLICS FORM OF PARLIAMENT CIVIC RIGHTS GRANTED By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright (Received June 12, 5.25 p.m.) LONDON, .Tune 11 The Daily Telegraph's Moscow correspondent says the text has been issued of a' new Soviet Constitution drafted by a commission over which M. Stalin presided.

The Soviet claims to have established the world's only real democratic system, though the monopoly of the Communist Party is maintained. Under the new Constitution Parliament is to consist of two newly-created Chambers —a Lower House, to be called the Union Council, the members to be directly elected by secret ballot, with one member for each 300,000 electors, and an Upper House, to be called the Council of Nationalities, the members to be indirectly elected to represent the Soviet Republics and the autonomous national Republics. The two bodies will meet in Moscow regularly twice a year. They will form a Supreme Council to elect one President for tlio entire Soviet Union.

Every citizen, male and female, will bo expected to vote, and wifl bo able to stand for election. The so-called "class enemy" now is considered to have been "liquidated." Civic rights granted include equal pay for both sexes, pensions and holidays. Religious liberty, tlio right to hold political demonstrations, freedom of the press, free speech and security from arbitrary arrest are also established.