COME TO STAY.

Waikato Times, Volume 100, Issue 16811, 1 June 1926, Page 5

COME TO STAY.

— SOVIETS IN RUSSIA. COMMISSION'S REPORT. INTERESTING DISCLOSURES. (Australian and N.Z. Press Assn.) LONDON, May 30. "There is no doubt whatsoever that tho present Soviet Government has come to stay." says the joint report of Sir Frank Nelson, Mr Robert Boothby, Lieutenant-Colonel T. C R. Moore and Captain 11. C. Bourne, the Conservative M's.P. who toured Russia unofficially for the purpose of supplying their parly with first-hand information. The signatories suggest that Britain's objectives as regards Russia should be: (1) To check and ultimately to stop anti-British propaganda. (2) To obtain recognition by Russia of pre-war private debts. (3) To secure as much money as possible for British nationals to whom debts are due. (4) To increase trade between Bri-. tain and Russia for the sake of the unemployed in Britain. Government an Autocracy. The report proceeds: "YVe cannot sec any insuperable difficulties if the Soviet gives undertakings with regard to the first, second and third clauses. In view of the increasing activities of Germans and Americans we suggest that Britain should watch the situation very carefully in order that a probable early opportunity may not be missed for securing a diplomatic and commercial settlement." The report is full of interesting disclosures. It says: "We believe the fall of the Soviet to be highly improbable. Nevertheless its ideas of juslice are farcical. They arc wholly based on political considerations, and there is no justification for the wholesale arrests or for the deportations, and even shootings without trial. " The economic system now adopted In Russia is a peasantry based on individual exchange of products, and industrialism based on socialism. All this is theoretically democratic, but as a matter of fact the Government is autocracy if not tyranny. Evolution Steadily Proceeding. " But transactions from fact to theory are proceeding surely but slowly. Although tolerance of all forms of religion goes on hand in hand with it is the most insidious anti-Christian propaganda. " The methods of ridiculing Christ and blaspheming His teachings filled us with abhorrence. " It is a country of amazing contradictions. Private enterprise is discouraged where it is not prohibited, yet it is evident even among the streethawkers. However, everything is in process of evolution in a right rather than in a wrong direction. "Tlie sufferings of the upper middle classes were borne out by our observations, whereas the workers benefited by privileges and concessions sucli as free theatres, and cheaper food and accommodation on which they have first call. " The position briefly summarised is that the Russians are largely fatalists and have passively accepted tho new regime. Mosl of them are better off than they were previously. Extremely Efficient Dictatorship. " This statement, detached from the context of our report, must not be supposed to show that consider communism, as such, to be a success. Nothing is further from our minds, because the present system is not communism as we understand it. " The so-called proletarian dictatorship is nothing more nor less than an extremely efficient dictatorship over the proletariat. Those who suffered in the past have given up hope or desire for any radical change. " We believe evolution affords the best hope of lightening their lot, and it is our conviction that closer sympathy and understanding between Europe and Russia would do much to assist toward this happy development. Financial Position Quito Sound. " Although the financial position of Russia bristles witli complexities we have no hesitation in saying that the situation is in no sense dangerous. The country is far removed from imminent bankruptcy. '• Currency shows no sign of a collapse. The financial policy is sound, almost severe. Exports.arc forecasted and imports arc rationed accordingly. Grain exports are bound to increase. " The Soviet does not conceal the fact that it wants to trade with Britain for which purpose a loan or longterm credits arc necessary. One member of the Soviet remarked to us: ' London has money, but does not believe in our credit. Berlin believes in our credit, but has no money unless she gets it via England, which lo a certain extent she is already doing." Britain's Chance for Trade. The report points out that Britain in the meantime may be losing an immense advantage.' She may later find, with Russia's financial emergence, that the opportunity of making fair terms for old loans and private debts lias passed by. "We do not wholly rule out the possibility of a lien on revenue as security, though it is unlikely, but we know the form of security called concessions would be considered," says the report. " We are of the opinion that on the whole Russia is capable of presenting a great Held for the judicious investment of British capital. We view with increasing anxiety the Russo-German agreement. It is undesirable that Germany should be the solo link between Russia and the rest, of the world. " The Soviet told us it was prepared to resume negotiations with Britain. If so we hope they will be brought to a successful conclusion."