RUSSIA TO-DAY.

Taranaki Daily News, 30 December 1922, Page 5

RUSSIA TO-DAY.

X LAND OF CONTRASTS. FAMINE STILL EXISTS. HELPING THE CHILDREN. By Telegraph.—Press Assn, —Copyright Received Dec. 29, 7.15 p.m. London, Dec. 28. Mr. fE. T. Asche, of Australia, has returned from Russia and sails for home by the Jervis Bay on January 30. Interviewed, he said he spent two months 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 ever, because the American relief organisation has ceased feeding adults and are confining their attention to children. Quakers have planned to continue operations till September, ibut without further funds they must curtail .their programme. Mr. Asche intends to carry on propaganda in Australia in aid of the relief funds. He is convinced that the terrible plight in central Russia is not due to political matters, but to three years’ drought following the war and the revolution. Starvation would have been inevitable under any Government. The political experiment being carried out in Russia was most interesting. Moscow its now one of the most pleasant capitals in Europe in which to live. The fluctuations of the rouble have not affected, the people’s lives. The exchange increased from 18 to 220 million roubles to the £1 in five months, but wages went up with and often prior to prices, with the result that there was no poverty. Lenin’s Government was conducted by able, efficient and zealous men.

The present was a new economic stage, known as State Capitalism. It was intended to be an educative and intermediate stage between military Communism and national Communism. The State owned all the land and properties and all the people \qere either lessees thereof or lessees. An employee’s life was secure and safe. The Government made many arrets of proved or suspected anti-Bolshevik agents and 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 questioners in regard to his bona fldes. On the contrary, when penniless, he went to the Communist headquarters and was immediately given a free hotel room and one free meal daily, which were provided for British and Australian tourists.

Owing to the sterling exchange Russia was the cheapest and most interesting country in the world to-day. He hoped to be able to return there for further relief work.—Aus.-N.Z. Association.