SOVIET RUSSIA.

Hokitika Guardian, 8 May 1923, Page 2

SOVIET RUSSIA.

AUSTRALIAN AND N.Z. CABLE ASSOCIATION. LABOUR MEMBERS VIEWS. LONDON, May 0. Mi- Thomas, speaking in Dcr'iy, warned the Government that if it can celled the Russian trade agreement, it would be responsible for increased unemployment. He did not desire to say anything about the text of the last German Note, but Britain could not continue to be neutral in regard 1o the Ruhr and see trade and industry paii iysed. As the Ruhr occupation contravened the Versailles Treaty Britain should not be ignored. Rel erring to Air Churchill's warning in regard to the Labour menace. Mr Thomas said the greatest menace, would be Mr Churchill’s return to power to work greater mischief than lie already had done. There was not a single benifieont measure attributable to Mr Churchill, who was our most brilliant failure. Air Lloyd George also was oil Labour's war path. Out of office he was one of the greatest reformers, but when in power, ho seemed to think that people should bo content to see him there.

INCITEMENT TO POLAND. AVARSAAV, May 6. Foch and Pilsudski hare been conferring on military matters. On the evo of the Polish military manoeuvres, which Foch is attending, speaking at a banquet, Foch said France will stand by Poland in her national reconstruction, also in the maintenance and enforcement of existing treaties. Foch declared that Poland must be able, in the event of war, to mobilise six hundred uiousand men. UNFROCKING OF TIKHON. LONDON, Alay G. The ‘‘Times” correspondent at Riga reports that under Antonin’s directions the Church Convocation at .Moscow declared Tikhon unfrocked, deprived of all dignities, excluded from all monasteries, and relegated to the condition, of layman. The Convocation called upon all clergy to renounce all attempts to use the Church for worldly political purposes, but every believer must he faithful to the Soviet, and assist the Soviet to realise on earth the ideals of -roe Kingdom of God. Vcdensky declared that the historical duty of the Orthodox Russian Church consisted of the recognition of the truth of Communism, and that they must cease to serve capital. Tne Convocation also declared the Patriarchate abolished, and favoured clergy of all ranks being allowed to marry and widowed priests to re-marry.