UNDER THE SOVIET

Timaru Herald, Volume CXLVIII, Issue 21559, 23 January 1940, Page 2

UNDER THE SOVIET

EVENTS IN POLAND The nationalisation of banks, important industries, mines, and railways, and the confiscation of land were unanimously adopted by the National Assembly of the Western Ukraine in session at Lwow, in Soviet - occupied Poland, reports a Moscow message to the “Manchester Guardian.” The declaration nationalising banks, industries, mines, and railways proclaimed that this measure was taken “to ensure the ruthless suppression of exploiters and the abolition of the exploitation of man. Henceforward all valuables in banks, all large factories and plants, all mines and railways are procaimed the property of all the people—that is, State property.” The declaration enacting the confiscation of land said; “The only lawful master of the land of the Western Ukraine liberated from Che landlords and capitalists is the working people. In full conformity with the unanimous will and aspirations of the working people of the Western Ukraine, protecting their immediate and vital interests, following the example of the people of the Soviet Union, the Ukrainian National Assembly proclaims on the territory of the Western Ukraine the confiscation of land belonging to landlords, monasteries, and high officials, with all livestock, implements, and estate buildings. Alienation of Estates “The National Assembly approves the alienation of landed estates without compensation through the peasants’ committees under the guidance of provisional administrations and the handing over of this land for the use of the working peasantry. The question of the lands of the ‘Ossadniks’ (Polish military colonists) will be decided by the peasants’ committees. “All the land of the Western Ukraine, with its mineral resources, all forests and rivers are proclaimed the possession of all the people—that is, State property. “The Ukrainian National Assembly calls upon all those who toil on the land and the peasants’ committees to observe iron revolutionary discipline and to protect against plundering the former landlords’ estates, buildings, and implements now the sacred and inviolate possession of the people. Only the peasants’ committees are entitled to distribute the landlords’ land. Only the peasants’ committees are entitled to dispose of the landlords’ properties.” The newly-elected National Assembly of Western White Russia—the other district into which the Soviets have divided the Soviet-occupied area of Poland—met at Bialystok. Proposals for the establishment of the Soviet system, the incorporation of the territory in the Soviet White Russian Republic, the confiscation of landed estates, and the nationalisation of banks and heavy industry were placed on the agenda.