RUSSIA TO-DAY

Rotorua Morning Post, Volume 1, Issue 88, 4 December 1931, Page 6

RUSSIA TO-DAY

N.Z. SCIENTIST'S VISIT PLAIN STATEMENT OF DR. BELL'S TRAYEL EXPERIEN CES. BERLIN DEPRESSING. Dr. J. Mackintosh Bell, formerly Government Geologist in New Zealand and now connected with important mining enterprises in Canada, was recently in Russia on his way to represent the Government of Canada at a Science Conference held in Hangchow, China. In going to China, Dr. Bell passed through Germany and Russia and reached China by the Trans-Siberian Railway. Writing to Sir Harold Beauchamp, he describes some of his travel experiences which, it should he explained at the outset, were devoid of anything sensatiorial. Berlin Depressing. "I spent a day in Berlin," wrote Dr. Bell, and adds. "It was a most depressing place. Never have I seen a more dismal atmosphere, It was a relief, strange as it may sound, to get into the U.S.S.R., which is seething with activity and enthusiasm. I spent most of my time there in Moscow, where I was allowed to come and go as I chose without let or hindrance. If I was subjected to any surveillance it was not apparent. There is no doubt whatsover that great material progress is being made, at enormous sacrifice on the part of the population. There seems now to be no scarcity of very ordinary food, but such products as hutter, meat and tea, which are ordinarily considered requisites, are very difficult to obtain and very expensive except for the privileged classes. As you know, the number of these in the country is great. The situation of the outcasts — the priests and such of the former houxgeoisie sind aristocracy who have not heartily flung in their lot with the new regime, is, I fancy, very difficult. Mining, Development. "I had no trouble in obtaining olenty to eat and had quarters at a 'iotel which would have been entirely satisfactory if it had not been for the rbsence of heat. None was allowed :ill the first of October, and as the

:emperature was only a few degrees above freezing point I suffered from iold feet — not mental, but physical Even more interesting than the 'collectivised' farming and the large inlustrial plants I found the schemes arranged for mining developments under the Government plan. The progress of the metal industry is of such fundamental importance. I :ound it most absorbing for investigations, quite apart from the fact ;hat it was the one which professionilly I was the best able to under,tand. Needless to say, I met a great nany people and had many instructive experiences. To Manchuria. "The journey from Moscow to Man;huria was made in a train which was ilmost luxurious. The food was good md -the service ho less so. We 'topped frequently, and there were :hus opportunities to see something it many points of the state of afairs.

"Owing to the outbreak of hostili■ies in Manchuria between the Japan•ese and Chinese, for a time it seem>d doubtful if I should get through, jut when we reached the locality all vas tranquil on the surface but seethng with hate. The strategic points n Southern Manchuria were well suplied with Japanese troops, and to ,hese places when protection was pro/ided there wras an influx of Japanese :rom outlying localities. I had inended to' travel to Shanghai via Pe•cin and Manking, but was advised to ollow the alternative route via Dai•en. The disorders which have folowed in the wake of the Japanese :ave given a good opportunity for ihe bandits, ever active in China, to pursue their frolics with greater ease. "Along the railway lines between Mukden and Pekin passengers have been robbed and a few murdered."