UNDER SOVIET RULE

Sun (Auckland), Volume II, Issue 615, 18 March 1929, Page 1

UNDER SOVIET RULE

VISITOR’S IMPRESSIONS LECTURE AT HIPPODROME “It is not fair to compare Russia with countries such as this at the present time. it must be compared with the Russia of 1913 under the Tsarist regime and the tremendous improvement will be seen.” This statement was made by Mr. R. F. Griffin in the course of a publiclecture on “Three Months in Soviet Russia,” at the Hippodrome last evening. Mr. Griffin has just returned after a seven months’ tour. A big audience gave the speaker a most attentive hearing and at the conclusion of the address a number of questions were asked and answered. Mr. T. Bloodwortli presided. The speaker dealt with his tour of Russia from the time of his entry over, the Polish border, and particularly stressed his observations in the industrial areas around Moscow and in the Ukraine. “The workers are keenly interested in the production of the factories in which they work, because they are all part owners,” said Mr. Griffin. “There is a tremendous amount of welfare work being done in the country, both by Government and voluntary organisations, to assist in the betterment of health and education. General progress is being swiftly made despite the difficulties encountered by the Soviet Government.”

The Russian people realised the great advantages they had gained, said the lecturer, and there was little doubt that the present system would continue. In the event of any miltary interference by outside Powers, the Russian people would defend their present constitution to the utmost. ON EQUAL FOOTING

Women were now on an equal footing with men and those who worked in factories were allowed two months’ holiday before and after the birth of children. There was no interference in religious matters and the churches existed and carried on their teaching as before. This freedom, however, was also extended to atheists or any class of radical thinkers along religious or philosophical lines. It was not correct to say the Soviet Government sponsored atheism. It merely permitted freedom of thought and expression. There was freedom of thought allowed along political lines and the people could criticise the Government as much as they wished, but it was forbidden to form any political society with counter-revolutionary ideals. Capita] punishment had been abolished for ordinary crimes, but was still in vogue for political offenders, who were dealt with as nil countries dealt with those found guilty of treason. After questions were asked and answered by the lecturer, Mr. Griffin was accorded a hearty vote of thanks.