SOME PASSING IMPRESSIONS

Motueka Star, Volume IV, Issue 162, 10 March 1903, Page 4

SOME PASSING IMPRESSIONS

"You have a very fine country, but you-must be careful not to spoil it," were the parting words of M. Nicolas Krukoff, the Russian Agricultural Commissioner, to a representative of the "New Zealand Times" on board the Victoria last week.

As an agriculturist, our visitor found this country very interesting, and particularly admired the work of Mi* Kinsella, the Dairy Commissioner, whom he regards as one of the most capable men in the Government service he had met. He also eulogised the work of some of Mr Kinsella's subordinates, as he had seen it carried out in the different centres he visited in both islands. He considers that any assistance the Government or the people of New Zealand afford Mr Kinsella will be a step in the right direction. Speaking of our agricultural methods generally, M. KrukofF deplores the and indifferent air* manifested towards such matters. He considers the sheep farming, dairy farming and cattle raising to be well carried out and not open to much improvement, but, as in Australia, he laments the lack of devotion to duty, the spirit of gambling and excessive levity which he finds to distinguish the people from those of older race. He thinks that the absence of raligious devotion is materially deteriorating, the young blood of this country, and is bringing about degeneracy. Chatting, about New Zealand, its rulers and methods, M. Krukoff had much to say. Although bom with a natural tendency to conservative institutions, he found in our Land for Settlements, Advances to Settlers, and Conciliation and Arbitration Acts many features which he admired, and on which he bestowed much praise. At the same time he thinks far too much power has been bestowed on the working man and the feminine population, and he would willingly circumscribe its scope.

"You know," said he, "In Russia we give women votes in municipal matters, but they must be the heads of families or responsible people ; we never allow the franchise to young girls such as recently figured in the Newtown inquiry." New Zealand is a country which he regards as possessed of great possibilities, but he is of opinion that we must afford greater facilities to desirable immigrants. "Your country is fertile and fine, but thinty peopled ; you must get in a bigger population, but should, of course, carefully avoid such undesirables as chronic invalids, known criminals and the like."

The Canterbury plains, M. Krukoff thinks, form the most charming sight an agriculturist could gaze upon in New Zealand. He was charmed with their extent, fertility and productiveness. "It is the best country I have met here," was his verdict. The labour laws of New Zealand, our European visitor regards as far too advanced and liberal. This was perhaps only natural, in the case of one trained in the atmosphere in which he was reared. Our reporter requested him to show grounds for his objection, and was informed with Russian bluntness that we would soon be " slaves to our workmen instead of their being our subordinates." Asked as to the influence of Leo Tolstoi on the Russian peasantry of to-day, M. Krukoff was short, sharp and decisive. "As long," said he, "as Tolstoi confined himself to writing novels, he was highly esteemed in Russia, but when he turned to philosophic efforts and became a prophet, people lost confidence in him."

tfeeting one so brimful of the perfections of his own country and its me-

thods, our representative inquired about Poland, and was informed that the responsibility for the partition of that unhappy kingdom was not so largely due to Russia as Germany. "It was the ambition," he remarked, "of Frederick the Great, as well as Catherine 11., although Russia got the largest slice. The Poles of today are not so badly off as foreigners imagine. They are our kindred in race, although we differ in religion, and have all our political privileges, but they are a proud and distracted race and still yearn for nationhood." The large percentage of Jewish blood in the Poles is put down as one excuse for their patriotism and exclusiveness. M. Krukoff thinks the Poles a race which would rather "-command in hell than serve in heaven," and views their national aspirations with the natural scorn and contempt of the conqueror.

Talking of modern Russian legislation, .he considers the abolition of banishment to Siberia for political offences was a needful reform, although he does not regard the lot of the Siberian convict as unendurable. After seven years' experience of that region,, he claims to speak with some authorit\and looks upon the enforced exile and surveillance imposed upon those transported there as much less irksome than someof our own methods of punishment.