RUSSIAN FAMINE AREA.

Otaki Mail, 5 January 1923, Page 3

RUSSIAN FAMINE AREA.

NEEDS GREATER THAN EVER

London, Dec. 28. Mr E. T. Asoho has returned from Russia. On being interviewed, he said

that lie had spent two morths in the famine areas of Buzuluk and .Samara, and three months in Moscow. He points out that, though there is no food shortage in the cities and towns, the needs of the famine areas are greater than over, because the American relict" organisations have ceased feeding adults and are confining their attentiun to the children. The Quakers have planned to continue their operations till September, but without further funds they must curtail their programme. Mr Asche intends to carry on propaganda in Australia in aicLof the relief funds. BTe is convinced that the terrii hie plight in Central Russia is not due to political matters, but to the three years' drought following the war and revolution. Starvation would have been inevitable under any Govermnent. The political experiment being carried out in Russia was most interesting. | "Moscow is now one of the most pleasant capitals in Europe in which to live," he said. The fluctuations of the rouble have not affected the people's ' lives. The exchange increased from 18 I million to 220 million roubles to the I pound in five months, but wages went iup with it anfl often prior to prices, , >yith the result that there is no poverty. Lenin Government is conducted by able, efficient and zealous men." The present was a new economic { stage know as State capitalism. It • was intended to be educative, and an > intermediate stage between military I Communism and national Communism. The State owned all the land and properties and people were neither the lessees or the lessees' employees. Life, ■was secure and safe. The Government sad made many arrests of proved suspected anti-Bolshe-vik agents,, but these were all well treated. He was once arrested and imprisoned for a week as a suspect, but underwent no hardships and was, liberated as soon as he satisfied questions in regard to his bona fides. On. the contrary, when penniless, ha went to the Communist headquarters and was immediately given free hotel room and one free meal daily was provided. For British and Australian tourists, owing to the value of the pound sterling. Russia was the cheapest end most interesting country in the world to-day. Hs hoped to be able to for further relief work.