THE OLD BOLSHEVISTS GO

Otago Daily Times, Issue 22629, 22 July 1935, Page 16

THE OLD BOLSHEVISTS GO

The famous Society of Old Bolshevists is no more. A short Russian communique announced that the Central Committee or the Russian Communist Party has consented to its liquidation and has given orders for its property to be put to the best other uses. This property includes libraries and museums. Possessions in provincial centres will be similarly treated. No reason is given for the decision. The trend is certainly against separate organisations inside the great Communist Partv of Russia. Membership of the Society of Old Bolshevists was restricted to those who had belonged to the Russian Communist Party for at least .15 years. Down to the end of 1932 this rule restricted membership to the survivors of the' 20,000 Communists of pre-revohjtion days. Pravada, the Communist Partyorgan, has demanded the strictest scrutiny of party members' credentials when their tickets are renewed in the near future. Until this has been done no new members will be admitted. The criminal slackness of main- party committees has. Pravada declares, permitted foreign agents .and spies to creep into the ranks and many partisans of Trotsky and Zinonett to remain in them. Such persons work to destroy tjj.e party from within.