EXILED RUSSIANS

Hokitika Guardian, 23 February 1933, Page 2

EXILED RUSSIANS

A LARGE COLONY IN PARIS

DIGNITY AMID POVERTY

AUCKLAND, February 21. In Paris there is a very influential colony of exiled Russians, including members of the old Russian aristocracy. This group, which numbers about 100,000, hopes that some day its members will be able to return to their own country ancl again, take their places in ihe life of the nation. The nature of the Parisian colony was explained yesterday by Mr Salomon Poliakoff, Russian author and journalist, who is visiting Auckland. Mr Poliakoff . said the colony was practically an independent cultural body. It comprised artists, writers and musicians, many of them worldfamous, as well as scientists, diplomats and members of all the professions. The community led a very intellectual life and had it own Russian newspapers and reviews and produced its own drama and opera. Most of its members, said Mr Poliakoff, lived in poverty bun in dignity. Gentlemen formerly of tile highest rank did not mind being drivers of public vehicles and there were about 3000 Russians earning their livelihood in this manner in Paris. Others worked in factories and did all kinds of manual labour.

“The attitude af the French people toward us .is most generous and kind,” said Ml* Poliakoff. “We practically feel at home. Naturally we look forward to the future, but are not dreaming of a return of the old regime to Russia. We want Russia to he a free democratic country like England or France, and we hone some day to see it again great and free without the autocracy ‘of the Czars or the tyranny of the Communists.”