LESSONS FROM RUSSIA.

Taranaki Daily News, 22 December 1924, Page 7

LESSONS FROM RUSSIA.

LABOUR DELEGATES’ VIEWS

BUDGET ALMOST BALANCED.

BACK TO PRE-WAR. DAYS. ' By Telegraph.—Press Assai.—Copyright, Received Dec. 11.5 p.m. ? London, Dec. 21. The preliminary report of the Labour deputation from Russia occupies a column on the main page of the Observer, and is likely to be the subject of an acute controversy. The full report is promised in a few weeks. The delegates state specifically that Russia has almost balanced her Budget, and has restored productivity relative to the pre-war standard at a rate comparing favourably with the general European average. New housing schemes, making provision for the erection of model cottages superior to some of the Government houses provided in Britain, are being pushed forward with energy and ability. A great effort is being made to eliminate illiteracy. The Church has been dis-established and no religious instruction is being given in the schools, but there is no interference with religious freedom. Prostitution, gambling and other vices are being rapidly eliminated by educational effort and drastic State regulations. Millions of new capital could be properly- and safely invented in the development of Russia’s enormous economic possibilities.