THE STATE OF RUSSIA

New Zealand Times, Volume XLIX, Issue 11217, 24 May 1922, Page 7

THE STATE OF RUSSIA

MESS THORP REPLIES. Miss Margaret S. Thorp, who ie to lecture at the Town'Hall to-night (Wednesday) Jlt 8 o’clock. In connection with the Mayor’s Russian Famine bund to help Russia’s starving Bullions, writes to the editor of tbe “New Zealand Times” as under; Dear Sii, —In refeience to the protest by Mr "W. Bi.lwell to my statement to the “Star” reporter, quoted in your columns, “that the Bolsheviks are net as bad as they are painted,'' I had very definite facts in mind. 1. For some time it was reported that lhero was nationalisation ot women m Russia. This has been denied by all the leading British papers, and was pure fabrication. Women are treated with the greatest respect in Russia. 2. It has been cabled that food supplies, wont for relief work in Russia, have ; hecu seized by tho Soviet Government for the Hod Army. Reliable authorities, such R 6 Sir Benjamin Robertson (Indian famine expert, sent by tho British Government to investigate famine conditions in Russia), Dr. Nansen (High Commissioner for Relief), and Mr Hoover (T7.5.A.) have all denied this statement. I can speak with authority for the Quaker organisation {the Society of Friends). Of all out relief supplies there has only been a leakage of half per Cent. Everything reaches the starving people, and we Imvo full control over all our supplies. I think this is sufficient warrant for my statement, that tho Bolsheviks are not jas bad as they are painted. I