IN SOVIET RUSSIA.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 16928, 30 December 1922, Page 17

IN SOVIET RUSSIA.

AUSTRALIAN'S IMPRESSIONS By Telegraph—Frees Association—Oopyrlirht Australian and N.Z. Gable AssooiationLONDON, December 28 Mr E. T. Asche, of Australia, has returned from Russia. He sails by tho Jervois Bay on January 30. In in terview he said he had spent two months in the famine areas of Buzuluk and Samara, and three months in Moscow. He points out that there is no food shortage in the cities and towns. The needs of the famine areas are greater than ever, because the American relief organisation has ceased feeding adults and is confining its attention to children. The Quakers have planned to continue operations till September. but without further funds they must curtail their programme. Mr Asche intends to carry on propaganda in Australia in aid of the relief funds. He is convinced that the terrible plight in Central Russia is not due to political matters, but to the three years’ drought following the war, and the revolution. Starvation would have been inevitable under any Government The political experiment that is being carried out in Russia is, ho says, most interesting. Moscow is now one of the most pleasant capitals in Europe in which to live. The fluctuations of the rouble have not affected the people’s lives. The exchange increased from eighteen to 220,000.000 roubles to the pound in five months, but wages went up with, and often prior to, the prices, with the result that there was no pov-

erty. M. Lenin’s Government is conducted by able, efficient, zealous men. The present is, he says, a new economic stage, known as State Capitalism. It is intended to be educative, and an intermediate stage between Military Communism and National Communism. The State owned all the land and properties. All the people are either lessees thereof, or lessee®’ employees. Life is secure and safe. The Government made many arrests of proved or suspected anti-Bolshevik agents. These were all well treated. I7e was once arrested end imprisoned for a week us a suspect, but underwent no hsirdships, and was liberated as soon as he satisfied his questioners in regard to his bona tides. On the other hand, when penniless, he went to the Communist headquarters, and was immediately given a free hotel room, and one free meal daily, which is provided for Briti-sh-Australian tourists. Russia is, he pays, the cheapest and most interesting country in the world to-day. He hopes to be able to return there, for further lelief work.