PLANNING IN RUSSIA

Wairarapa Times-Age, 16 September 1943, Page 3

PLANNING IN RUSSIA

W.E.A. GROUP DISCUSSION. The Masterton W.E.A. Group has found planning in the U.S.S.R. one of the most interesting topics discussed in its present course. In Russia productive property is almost entirely owned by the State and production is planned directly for the needs of the community. This has led to a comparison of the part played by “consumer sovereignty” in a 'capitalistic economy and in a Socialistic State. In considering Russian factories, a discussion arose on the Slakanovites and Udarniki, the highly-skilled workers who receive five or six times as much as the ordinary worker. Statements by the former American Ambassador to Russia (Mr J. E. Davies) would imply that these workers form a much larger proportion than is usually supposed. The group felt, that these privileged workers would find it difficult to become an exploiting class, as they owned none of the means of production; also, that less highly skilled workers might' be content with the social security they enjoyed, and find other types of enjoyment. Interesting comparisons between the attitude towards piecework in New Zealand and in Russia followed, and examples were given of experiments in piecework and profit-sharing that - had come to the notice of members of the group.