CONDITIONS IN RUSSIA.

Waikato Times, Volume 109, Issue 18255, 17 February 1931, Page 8

CONDITIONS IN RUSSIA.

RIOTS IN MANY CENTRES NUMEROUS KILLED AND INJURED. RETALIATORY MEASURES. United Press Assn. —Elec. Tel. Copyright. LONDON, Feb. 16. The Riga correspondent of the Times states that Soviet “pace-mak-ing” gangs and “shock brigades” have been despatched to provincial centres to stimulate transport, the slowness of which is holding up exports. These parties have encountered hostility in many places which has developed into riots. There has been destruction of property, especially in the lower Volga and Caucasus regions. Seven “pacemakers" were killed and many persons injured in riots at Astrakhan. Railwaymen in the Caucasus killed one “pace-maker.” The Economic Council lias raised the wages of the miners in the Donetz Basin region 20 per cent, owing to widespread restivencss and desertions due to diminished purchasing power. The Soviet is introducing labour conduct sheets in order “Lo enforce stricter discipline to combat the disorganisers of production.” These cards will label every worker with a record of his qualifications, earnings, conduct and punishments. The Moscow correspondent of the British United Press says Russian orders for millions of dollars worllt of American goods will bo cancelled if ihc United States enforces the exclusion of imports of Russian timber on Die ground that it is produced under prison conditions.