W.E.A.

Wairarapa Times-Age, 30 September 1943, Page 3

W.E.A.

DISCUSSION ON RUSSIA. POSITION OF TRADE UNIONS. At its last meeting the W.E.A. group made a further study of planning in action in the U.S.S.R. It was pointed out that of particular interest was the part played by Trades Unions. Since 1928, the view that the Trades Unions were instruments of community policy having superseded the view that their function was to protect the workers against managements. This has led to their playing a greatly increased part in the U.S.S.R. In addition to stimulating efficiency in the factories, and being responsible for hygienic conditions, they control through the factory committees, educational and recreational facilities of all types. This led to a group discussion on the effect of these conditions on the workers, and it was felt that the increased, responsibilities must be beneficial in every way to the members of the unions. A brief survey of the working of the collective farms then engaged the attention of the group, which commented that State ownership of the land was a pre-requisite of the planning. The conditions of life on a collective farm were favourably commented on, for there was a sufficiency of communal life for the members, who still enjoyed all the advantages of country life. The possibilities of co-operation and collective farms for soldier settlement in New Zealand were then discussed.