Manawatu Herald SATERDAY, DECEMB 21, 1918. “BOLSHEVIKS" AND “SOVIETS.”

Manawatu Herald, Volume XL, Issue 1918, 21 December 1918, Page 2

Manawatu Herald SATERDAY, DECEMB 21, 1918. “BOLSHEVIKS" AND “SOVIETS.”

THE 1 erm Bolshevik is md a uen word which has arisen mil of thq present Russian revolution. as il was as far hack as 1 HUH that il was lirsl applied lo a seel ion oi the Russian Social Democratic Daily, in dial year the second conference of. the parly was held, and the methods employed in connection with the direction of revolutionary activities were being discussed. A difference of opinion arose, and a vote \vas taken on the subject. There was naturally a majority (holshevis(o) and a minority ( menchinst vo), and tin; two groups came to he known as the ‘‘Bolsheviks" and the "Mencheviks” respectively. The Bolsheviks have always been in favour of adopting extreme measures, while the Alencheviks believed that they could best serve their country by adhering to a more gradual system of reform. The term “Soviet" may best be described as a committee appointed lo watch over the interests of certain classes. We (irsl of all had the Russian .Soviets of Workmen's and Soldiers’ Delegates. \\ ith these have since been affiliated Local Soviets of National Economy, subject to the authority of the Supreme Council of National Economy. Some of the functions of these Soviets are as follows; —They must (1) manage the private enterprises confiscated by the State and given over to workmen; (2) determine the amount of fuel, ' raw materials, machinery, means of transport, labour. etc., needed by the given industrial >ection, and the amount available in it; (3) provide for the-ecus nomie needs of the section; (-1) distribute the orders for goods among the individual enterprises and work out the basis for the distribution of raw material; (5) regulate transportation in the section; (G) see to it that all the productive forces should be fully utilised, both in industry and agriculture; (17) improve the sanitarv conditions of labour.