“BOLSHEVIKS” AND “SOVIETS’

Taihape Daily Times, 21 December 1918, Page 5

“BOLSHEVIKS” AND “SOVIETS’

The term Bolshevik is not a new word which has arisen out of the present Russian revolution, as it was as far back ias 1903 that it was first applied to a section of the Eussian Social Democratic Party. In that year the second conference of the party was held, and the methods employed in connection with the direction of revolutionary acti'vties wore beingdiscussed. A difference of opinion arose, and a vote was taken on the subject. There was naturally a majority (bolshevisto) ia.nd a minority (menchinstvo). and the two groups came to be known as the “Bolsheviks” and the ‘ ‘ Menchcviks ’ ’ respectively. The Bolsheviks have always been in favour of adopting extrmee measures, while the 'Menchcviks 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 Ho wat'ch over the interests of certain classes. We first of all had the Eussian Soviets of Workmen’s land Soldiers’ Delegates. With these have since been affiliated Local Soviets of National, Economy, subject to the authority of the Supreme Council of Nation il Economy. Some of the functions of these Soviets are as follows: —They must (1) manage the private enterprises confiscated by the State and giren over to workmen; (2) determine the amount of fuel, raw materials, machinery, means of transport, labour, etc., needed by the given indns-tial section, and the amount available in it; provide' for the .eco-ioanc needs cf the section; (4) distribrm the orders for goods among the dip /dual enterprises and work out of tr. . basis for the distribution of raw miij.-ial; (5) regulate (transportation; in the section; (6) sec to it that all the productive forces should be fully utilised, both in industry and agriculture; (7) improve the sanitary conditions of Labour.