MAKING HISTORY IN RUSSIA

Timaru Herald, Volume CXLIII, Issue 20670, 8 March 1937, Page 8

MAKING HISTORY IN RUSSIA

PLANS OF COMMUNIST, PARTY ELECTORAL STRENGTH OF MASSES United Press Association—By Electric Telegraph—Copyright (Received March 7, 6.30 p.m.) MOSCOW, March 6. The fundamental reorganisation of the Russian Communist Party is announced, following a ten days secret session of the party’s Central Committee. The right of the Party to a monopoly of the leadership is re-asserted, but the committee decided that the principle of “democratic centralism” must be introduced thus enabling all members to participate freely and criticise all Party and Government matters. All the party officials must be elected by a majority vote and party elections will. In future, be conducted by means of a secret ballot instead of a show of hands as, at present. The Soviet Press describes these changes in the Russian Communist Party’s constitution as making a landmark in Soviet history because it means that the masses are now directly in control of the election of the country’s ruling group. MORE WOMEN AT WORK INTERESTING POSITION IN RUSSIA Onited Press association—By Weotrle Telegraph—Copyright (Received March 6, 6.30 pun.) MOSCOW, March 5. In 1937, 8,492,000 women were employed in Soviet industries and professions—an increase of 5.000,000 since 1929. Women at work include 42,353 physicians, nearly half the total of phyiscians in Soviet Russia. JUDGE SENTENCED TO DEATH GUILTY OF SERIOUS OFFENCES Onited Press Association—By Electric Telegraph —Copyright MOSCOW, March 5. The Supreme Court sentenced to death Judge Demidov, who pleaded guilty to offences, including murder, arson, perverting justice, and accepting bribes. The evidence showed that Demidov murdered a women caretaker of the Courts, who discovered that he was taking bribes. Demidov set fire to the courthouse in order to destroy the body and flies containing the evidence.