W.E.A. GROUP

Wairarapa Times-Age, 23 June 1943, Page 2

W.E.A. GROUP

OLD RUSSIAN LAND SYSTEM.

INTERESTING DISCUSSION.

The first meeting of the local group of the W.E.A. was held in the West Side School last evening when there was a discussion on certain aspects of life in pre-revolutionary Russia. The chief points in the discussion were the similarity between farming methods In Anglo-Saxon England and in the 18th and 19th century Russia. In both countries it was stated the ground was divided into strips, and the strips apportioned to different family groups-. In Russia this was done by the Mir, a primitive-democratic organisation. The agitation of the land-hungry peasants led to a further division of the land in the middle of the 19th century. was bought from the landlords. /The money for its purchase was advanced by the State, but the peasants were supposed to repay it during 50 years. One that this would have taken 120 per cent of the produce of the average peasants’ holding. These arrears were remitted in 1905. This led to a short discussion on present day land schemes. The Mir, it was stated, was succeeded by the Zemstvos, which consisted of representatives, of landowners, townsmen, and village communities. In their attempts to provide primary education, hospitals and free medical service, can be seen how deeply rooted was the desire for such public services. But the work of the Zemstvos was suspected by the State and their further development prevented: A brief survey, which will be continued at the next meeting was made of Russia’s relations with other European countries. ‘