SOVIET GRAVES TAX

Hokitika Guardian, 28 December 1932, Page 6

SOVIET GRAVES TAX

DEMAND ON LONDON EXILES

LONDON, December 10

The “Sunday Times” learns, from a Russian living in London, of a new Soviet device to- replenish the State coffers.

It is imposing a charge upon the relatives of foreigners who are buried in Russia.

A Russian resident in London, whose father and wife are buried in Russia, has been advised, through a relative cm the Continent of Europe, that- unless their graves are registered by November 1, at a charge of eighteen roubles (about £2), they will become the property of the Govorpmont, who will davose «f the ground and the bodies in any way it may deem desirable. . This news has naturally conic as a s'fgK-k to the man a'ud his family and lias aroused their iucligmt, ion and resentment. When the ground for the grave was pui'chrised the family regarded it as a.' corner of Russian soil which was their property in perpetuity. .The pr.ospeot of graves being desecrated and bodies disinterred is resulting in a considerable amount of money being sent to Russia by even the poorest people, who can ill afford the demands imposed upon them to ensure that, their dead may rest in i peace. , The Soviet’s ni,ling , applies to graves in all parts of the country, those in the instance quoted being at Moscow and in South Russia.