RUSSIA TO-DAY

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 7, Issue 77, 30 May 1944, Page 4

RUSSIA TO-DAY

MISS I. LISSIENKO'S ADDRESS INTERESTED EDGECUMBE AUDIENCE A meeting was held in Bell's Hall, Edigecumbe, on Sunday evening, 21st inst when 130 people listened attentively to addresses by Miss Inna Lissienko and l Mr W. E. Barnard on the TJ.S.S.R. and the adibfisabilfltv of ■ of the Society for Closer Relations with Russia. "Miss Lissienko spoke clearly and convincingly of the past and present Conditions in her country, showing that the tremendous advances made under Socialism have very largely accounted for the heroic performances of the Red Army and the war workers in the U.S.S.R. Among the many reasons she gave her these astonishing achievements were the following : The people, feeling that they really own the country, voluntarily denied themselves comforts to build essential factories and a strong Red Army, knowing well that they would be attacked sooner or later. Women's Emancipation The U.S.S.R. is composed of 160 nationalities, most of them forcibly held as possessions by the Czar, but now co-operating in friendly partnership. Women had advanced from having no rights, political or econ-i omic, to complete equality with the men. To do this, old customs and traditions had to go, and equal pay for equal work established. Soviet women were proud of motherhood and Avere provided with excellent medical attention and maternity homes. They received four months leave on full pay for child birth and if tliey choose, to continue their work were provided with creches and kindergartens to caie for the children during the day. All but the heaviest occupations were open to Soviet women, for instance they comprised 75 per cent of the med| cal students to-day. Spirit of Sacrifice The peoples of the U.S.S.R. had put up with terrible privations during the war, said the speaker. In Leningrad they lived and worked for a year on one bowl of Soup and a piece of bread per day with no fuel throughout their icy winter. Their knowledge that they are part of one great co-operative classless society had made them work with great enthusiasm and increased initiative all over the U.S.S-.R. They had learned that their increased efforts benefit everyone, not any particular group or party.

Miss Liss-ienko stressed the great importance of co-operation and friendship, not only between governments, but between the peoples of the world, if we. really wanted a lasting peace. There are many complex problems to be solved and there must be criticism, but constructive criticism not destructive. The Anglo-Soviet treaty for 20 years was a treaty of the peoples, not merely the governments. We must not betray our fighting men. We must not loose the peace ! Mr Barnard's Remarks' Mr Barnard, vice-president of the S.C.R., spoke for about half an hour, stating a strong case for British friendship with Russia. He began by spying tthat Mr Churchill made a friendly pact with the U.S.S.R. on behalf of the British people, and that our King demonstrated his friendship by having a special sword made and presented to the people of Stalingrad. As friends it was our duty to combat the unfavourable false rumours that Avere still being spread about our ally. I'f Russia had not made such a valiant stand it was doubtful whether Ave Avould be able, to sit. peacefully at a "meeting now. Society in Russia is really classless, Red Army officers associated on friendly terms Avith privates and when an invitation Avas sent from the British House of Parliament to the Captain of tfte first Russian "steamer to visit Wellington he arrived Avith two of his officers and six or seven of the crew. This in no Avay interfered Avith discipline which Avas splendid in the army and at sea. Army of Farmers Seventy-five per cent of the members of the Red Army are farmers and all workers on Russian farms personally < owned their houses and from half to three acres of land besides a share in the AVliole farm. In stating the necessity for taking an. actiA'e part, in the S.C.R. MiBarnard stressed the importance of clearing away misunderstandings, since the future of the peoples of the Avorld were linked up. In the ease of Russia, in particular these misunderstandings had been deliberately fostered by hostile interests. A third Avorld Avar must be avoided but it Avould surely come unless the people worked unitedly ot prevent it. All co-operative movements, i.e.

those that bring people together were Avorth Avhile, but some, people seemed to Avish to. divide- rather than help. Over 20 people signed up to join tile Societly for Closer Relations with Russia and others. avlio Avere in a hurry to get home Stated their intention of also joining. A collection Avas taken Avhich, after expenses had been deducted, yielded the sum of £6 3s 7d "which is being forwarded to Mrs Winston. Churchill's Aid to Russia fund.