SOVIET RUSSIA.

Hokitika Guardian, 9 May 1927, Page 3

SOVIET RUSSIA.

SOVIET POLICY. (Australian Press Association <fc Sun.) this day at 9.0 a.iu.i GENEVA, May 8. At the Economic Conference, the Soviet statesman, SokolnikofF, made a lengthy exposition of Russia's internal economic situation, purporting to show improvement in agricultural and industrial conditions. The crux of the sj)cecll consisted of a declaration that the Soviet were ready to co-operate with capitalistic countries, whose hotter comprehension of the Soviet system would conduce to a world peace. The Soviet’s policy was the encouragement of productive investments. Alluding to reconstruction, he said the task was difficult, but success was assured. Russia with twenty million peasant proprietors could develop without capitalistic countries help. Nevertheless both could exist in collaboration. The Soviet delegate, Ossinski, urged the Bolshevist system was the panacea for all the world’s economic ills. Ho recommended the cancellation of all the war debts, increased wages for all industrial workers, introduction ol eight hours day for all workers except miners, whose hours should be six. fullest liberty for trade unions, real measures of unemployment relief, and reform of taxation system. He further proposed a decrease of expenditure on armaments, abolition against emigration, cancellation of systems of protectorates and mandates, suspension of all measures of economic boycott and restoration of relations with Soviet. He urged Russia should be enabled to obtain, credits necessary for the country’s development, in return for concessions granted foreign capitalists. Ossinski demanded the withdrawal of troops from all oologies, the entire abolition of standing armies and navies, the abandonment of attempts to destroy institutions indissolubly linked with the Socialist system, especially Soviet monopoly of foreign trade. Jolinux, commenting, said the Soviet speeches meant the Soviet had abandoned the revolutionary policy, therefore co-operation with Russia was rendered possible. Those interested in the Soviet delegates, clamoured for a rostrum to enable them to hear all the speeches.