Affairs in Russia.

Hokitika Guardian, 30 December 1922, Page 3

Affairs in Russia.

AN AUSTRALIAN REPORT. MISTRAL lAN AND N.Z. CARLE ASSOCIATION. LONDON, Dec*. 28. M K. T. Ascho, mentioned in cables of July 27tli, Ims returned from Russia. He sails by the Jervis Bay on Decomb, or 30th for Australia. Interviewer, ho said that he spent two months in tho famine areas of Buzuluk and Samara, and threo months in .Moscow. He points out that, though there is no food shortage in the-cities c.iwl towns, the needs of the famine areas are greater than ever, because the American Relief Organisation Has ceased feeding the adults, and is confining their attention to the children. The Quakers have planned to continue their operations till September, hut, without further funds, must curtail their' |jtogriimme.

Mr Aschc intends to carry on propaganda in Australia in aid of Russian relief funds.

Mr Aschc is convinced that the terrible plight in Central Russia is not due .to political matters, hut to the three years of drought following on the war and the revolution. Starvation, he declares, would have been inevitable under any government. The political experiment being carried out in Russia was a most interesting one. “ Mos-

cow,’ he says, “ is now one of the most pleasant capitals in Europe in which to live. The Hur t nations of the rouble have not. affected the people's lives. Exchange has increased fiom l~ to 'J2il million roubles to the t.’( in five months, hut the wages went up with, and otten prior to, tho prices, with the result that there was no poverty.” Lenin’s Government, he said, was being conducted by able, efficient, and zealous men.

Tho present was a new economic staco, known as State capitalism. Tt was intended to he an educative intermediate sta<re between military communism and national communism. The State owned all the land and properties. Ml the people were either lessees thereof, ..or the lessees employees. J.ite was secure and safe. The Government

made many arrests of proved or suspected auli-Holshcvik agents. These were all well treated, lie was once arrested and imprisoned for a week as a suspect, hut lie underwent no hardships, and was liberated as soon as he satisfied the questioners in regard to his bona lidos. On the contrary, when penniless he went to the Communist ileadqiiart- , ers, and was immediately given.free lu> lei room and one free meal was daily provided. Kor British and Australian tourists, owning sterling, Russia was the cheapest and most interesting country in the world to-day. TTe ed to he able to return thereto for further relief w«rk.