RUSSIAN FARMS

Waikato Times, Volume 122, Issue 20505, 23 May 1938, Page 2

RUSSIAN FARMS

• BPIBD-UP ” ORDER THREE STALIN DECREES (Times Air Mall Service.) LONDON, April 21. Spring In Russia 1« this year a month behind the calendar. With only three months to go to harvest, 35 per cent less acreage is sown than was the case 12 months ago, says the Moscow correspondent of the Daily Telegraph. In this emergency Stalin and Molotoff. his Prime Minister, have ordered the purge of collective farms to cease. The new policy is laid down In three party decrees signed by Stalin. The first admits that much harm has been done by wholesale expulsions of peasants under the pretext of purging the collective farms of enemy elements. Provincial officials—now that the purge Is suspended—are charged with high-handed bureaucratic ** excess of zeal" and warned that they will be brought to trial unless unjustified expulsions cease. " The eviction of peasants from collective farms means that they starve.” this party order now explains. It adds that such action only foments hostility to the Soviet regime. Income Withheld The eecond decree, aiming at stimulating the peasantry to farm work, orders farm boards to distribute at least 60 per cent of the cash income of the farms among collectivised members. Instead of holding back earnings on the pretext of excessive capital investment In farm buildings or meeting Inflated overhead charges. It Is admitted that in 1037. notwithstanding the excellent crop, collective farmers in some regions were deprived entirely of their money Income. This drove many of them to seek work In towns, which in turn led to expulsion of their families from the Collective farms in violation of the charters they had received. The third decree —equally aiming at making collectivised peasants satisfied with their lot—stiffens the system of collecting taxes on such few private holdings as have survived.