CONDITIONS IN RUSSIA

Wairarapa Times-Age, 1 October 1938, Page 2

CONDITIONS IN RUSSIA

IMPOSSIBLE FOR ENGLISH WORKMEN. IMPRESSIONS OF VI’SITOR. “The average English workmen could not possibly live under the conditions of the Russian workers, who, although they are better off than under the Tsarist regime, have not known anything better,” said Mr L. F. Moller, a Rhodes scholar, in Christchurch. During vacations at Oxford University Mr Moller travelled on the Continent and visited Russia.

Leningrad was described by Mr Moller as “a very depressing place and one big slum.” The Russian workmen were underpaid and, with food and clothing dear, their position, from English and New Zealand standards, was not a happy one. The pay of the average worker 150 roubles a month, the rouble having an equivalent value in English currency of 3d. Butter was sold at 8s per lb, canvas tennis shoes cost 35s and leather shoes £5. The Russians viewed their new schools for the deaf and dumb as marvellous institutions, yet they were most depressing when compared with the British schools. “However, the Russians are quite satisfied, because they have not known anything better. The organisation of the country by the higher officials is brilliantly done, but it seemed to me that the average Russian had neither the energy nor the capacity to understand what is being done for him. The new generation now being educated in the schools will be able to take advantage of the new system under which they have been brought up.” In his tour of Russia, Mr Moller found everybody very kind, willing to talk, and, strange to say, willing to criticise. A doctor in a school for the deaf and dumb in Leningrad had told him that conditions in Russia were still bad, but a great deal improved under the new regime. The whole population was living in hopes, and on hopes, that in 50 or 100 years’ time the ideal of the Russian state would be fulfilled.

Organisation in Russian industry was good, but the system of payment for piece work resulted in the production of inferior materials. The speed was also ruining the machinery. More care and diligence might be shown by the Russians if a system of regular wages were adopted in their industries. “I would much rather live in Germany,” said Mr Moller. “The Russians looked dirty and unhealthy; the Germans were robust, healthy, and scrupulously clean. Outwardly they appeared contented, although they may have been unhappy at heart.” When Mr -Moller was in Germany, the Austrian frontier was thrown open. At Neustadt he met a German youth with pronounced Nazi views, who explained, at first, that the reopening meant that he would be able to go ski-ing in Austria the next Christmas. Later, the German said: “The frontier is thrown open to us again, so long as we don’t exert any political domination over the Austrian people. It is only a matter of time before we march into Austria and then heaven help Italy.” “This year, the Germans did walk into Austria,” remarked Mr Moller, “and I am still puzzled at the reference to Italy in the prediction of the young German.”