1936-08-10 — Page 10

10

What I Saw in Russia-6

W

E started for Dnieproges, which is now part of the city of Zaparozhe. The roads all the way were cobble stones, and we- bumped over them, hooting all the time to warn the liesitant pedestrians that we

were a force to be reckoned with.

The Dnieper River could be seen on our left as we rashed over the hill towards the great new dam across the Dnieper.

When we were actually in Dnteproges we saw a con- siderable number of apartment houses. Most of them were of three stories, but occasionally we saw some of two stories only. They were in comparatively small blocks and there was'a pleasant area of grasa in front and behind them.. Some seemed to, be of brick, but the greater part were of concrete or some substance like cement breeze,

THE DAM.

We were 51 bumping our way over the cobbles, and 1 was not until we were right in the heart of the new Socialist elty that sie nebustered an asphalt road. This proved to be a lonely sit in &,wilderness of ciny and dust. In the wet season thirde ronds must be almost impassable. We travelled up hill and down date, on our way into the city, and the whole countryside looked scarred and barren, and reminded me of some of the South Wales valleyn. We went straight on to the new dam, and rode right over it.

It was unquestionably a fine en gineering fent, althoughi the Anish We in- armed to be very rough. spected the power stallon and the elec trical net work, wltere they transmitted to far distant sub-stations at 150.000 voltr

Women Workers

WAR

After Innerwe visited the aluminium works. The building of this worka was commenced Fri 1930, med production urtel in 1033. Prior to that there aluminium in the country. I wear they produced 1,050 tons. and the year they would produc 17,403, which would be more Ulish any In 1936 they ex- Erops at country,

La pected to produce 30,000 tons.

ught eventually rival Ameriruu pro- dución of 45,000 tons, There were 6,000 process workers employed, and 5000 anders engaged on extensions.

I processen were uninterrupted, and they worked four ahlin at six hours each, the men taking their meals The fifth shift was em- at their work. ployed for rullet purposen, to na to milis everyone to have their rest day at the proper time. There were eight entegories of press worker. the lowest receiving 120 roubles a month, and the highest 400 to 500. The great bull of the workers were in categorich five and six, where the earnings were from 300 to 450 roubles.

I pointed out that this variation. between 300 und 450, was very great. but I was assured that it represented the real facts. I then asked for the collective ngreriment, but by mi over. Fight this was not produced. I wars.

"Everywhere there were marks on the concrete of the boards...”

wold there was very little difference be- tween the real earnings and the col Jentive ngrermest.

I inquired whether any women were employed in the processes unit I was

it they worked just an did the ETHER,

I said we Trade Unionista in Ehal were old-fashioned,

We did not believe that women should be engaged on dunerons 44 The Rushvey just anhealthy work. shrugged their shoulders, as mori 14 to say. that as women were paid the same wages'ns men, they taust endre the mine risk,

Tea-Time Talk

The director then seked would we take a cup of tea with him, and feeling very ured wh gladly accented. There was n table set for about fifty people and I presumed that come function was being arranged for the workers, and that we would not be there more than A few minutes. To my great surprise, hardly had we nut down than groups of workers started to troop in and sent In a few themselves at the table,

minutes at least forty or fifty were pre- sent, and I felt that I was being maikeurd into addressing then.

We had senrcely commenced our food when a young fellow naked mo to Elve them a description of conditiona In England.

I tok them thing about the Conor conditions of the British in- dustries, shout our wages system anl

NY.K.

General Passenger Agents in the Orient for the

CUNARD WHITE STAR LINE.

San Francisco via Shanghai, Japan Ports & Honolulu.

Tatsuta Maru

Asama Maru

Taiyo Moru ..7..

Seattle & Vancouver,

Thurs., 13th Aug. Wed., 2nd Sept. Fri., 18th Sopt.

Kobe), Sat., 15th Aug.

Heiau Maru (Starts from Hikawa Maru (Starts from

New York via Panama.

Noshiro Maru

†Nako Maru

Kobe) Wed., 2nd Sept.

Mon., 31st Aug.

South America (West Coast) via Japan; Honolulu,~

Los Angeles, Mexico & Panama.

Rukuyo Maru

Fri. 11th Sept.

.Fri.,.7th Sept,

.Sat., 15th Aug.

London, Marseilles, Antwerp & Rotterdam,

Fushimi Maru

Hakozaki Maru

Terukuni Maru

Liverpool via Port Said,

and Marsellles.

Delagou Maru

.Sat., 29th Aug.

.Fri., 11th Sept.

Beyrouth, Istanbul, Piraeus

Tues., 11th Aug."

Sydney & Melbourne via Manila & Ports.

Kano Maru

Atsuta Muru

Bombay via Singapore, Penang, & Colombo.

†Tokiwa Muru

Calcutta via Singapore, Penang & Rangeon.

Mon., 31st Aug. Sat., 24th Sept.

Glayo Maru

Tues., 11th Aug. .Fri, 28th Aug.

.Sun.. 16th Aug.

Sat., 29th Aug.

Shanghai, Kobo & Yokohama.

Fri, 14th Aur.

Fri., 21st Aug.

Sat., 29th Aug.

Penang Maru

fakodate Maru

Hakusan Maru

Atsuta Maru (N'saki direct)

Haruna Maru

+ Cargo Only.

*Burns Philp Lines, Joint Passenger Agents,

Gibb, Livingston & Co., Ltd.

Tel. 30291,

TRAVEL A.-O. LINE

To AUSTRALIA, Calling at Manila, Thursday Is., CAIRNS Townsville, Brisbane, Sydney and Melbourne.

CHANGTE TAIPING

British Steamers:

(Oil Burners!

FASTEST & MOST UP-TO-DATE STEAMERS IN THE SERVICE OPEN AIR SWIMMING POOL

ELECTRIC LAUNDRY, BARBER SHOP, SURGEON

AND STEWARDESS CARRIED.

New Zealand. Hong Kong to Sydney-19. Days.

Enjoy Your Leave in Australia and

FIRST CLASS. FARE TO SYDNEY, 76 RETURN

F

STEAMER CHANGTE TAIPING CHANGTE. TAIPING

LONDON (vla Australia) from £127.15. (Australian Newspapers on file).

Duo H'Kong Leaves II'Kong Leaves Manila Duo Sydney

11 Aug. 4 Sept. 9. Oct.

18 Aug.

21 Aug.

6 Sept.

11 Sept. 10' Oct.

14 Sept.

10 Oct,

30 Sept. 4. Nov.

6. Nov.

18 Nov.

16 Nov.

2 Dec.

AUSTRALIAN-ORIENTAL LINE, LIMITED,

Ballings subject to alteration without notice.

Freight or Passago, apply bot

Butterfield & Swire, Agents-Hong Kong-China-Japan

Telephone 30932..

THE

HONGKONG TELEGRAPH. MONDAY,

how we provided against unemploy ment. I caid that it was difficult for me to make comparisons with their conditions because their Trade Union Movement was quite different from 12 exercland any other in fe world. functions entrusted to it by the State ant I was not engaged in tigting capitalists for better conditions by mearm of strikes and other methods,

Doing Sums

I observed that this fealty was Cipher antuated by the fact that there was not a stable value to the roubir. The utilelal excimauge cale wan something like 5.00 to the pound, but that fart this was almost a nominal Itter.

In reality there was no exchange. because it was illegal to import or ex- port roubles.

Irald that had tried to ascertain buy certain what would east to

ing in Itussin stores as compared with British shops. From these com- parisons I Judged that the rouble was worth about 80 to the pound, or in our currency, about 3d. I said this, on the whole, was an estimate favourable to the rouble, because 1 probably was worth less than 30.

I went on to say that the clumpest ready-made cult i had seen in the workers' closed stores, where the prices were much lower than the State Ropa, It was of a very uns 150 roubles. rhoddy material, and I thought that the British equivalent could be bought for a couple et pounds or less: The British artisan would have to work about 32 hours to pay for this salt. The engineering labourer about 43 hour. The Russian worker earning

AUGUST 10, 1936.

WORK, WAGES and PRICES

250 roubles a month.would have to work 105 hours.

I had taken a fairly high average-for the Russian worker, ne 200 roubles is

a more general figure.

I

This seemed to surprise them, and I added that, of course, I was dealing only with the monetary wares. rentised that a part of Russian wages was abchised and returned to thei the form of educational, mullient und cultural services, But it was very dimcult to make a comparison about this. I thought a good deal more was done by the Stale for the Russian worker in this respect. But it was also true that the British worker eufoged a number of such services which he like

for them, paid

indirectly, From the next question put was apparent that, the real purpose was to get me to discuss 'international Trade Union unity."

ft

"What did I think of the prospect of International Trade Unton" I sak that they must remember that was a matter of high policy, ankl 1 could not aus anything very definito ⚫ about it. I would be interesting for 111 to know trout ibrit point of view exBetly what advantages there were in international "musty."

Fight Fascism!

Immediately the miswer cans from the same questioner, that it could be ured to ht wir one Fascism, par- tamilarly if there was a link established between the Bith, Russian and French worker,

I-

altrudy

This was an simular to a sugestion put to mr at the Mourn headquarters that I renset some connection. plied cautiously that we ha had an unfortunate experience betweel

1028-7 n! contact with the RDII Trade Union Movement through the Anglo-Russian Trade Union Commu- It tee, of which I was a Secretary, would need soine very convincing evidence to induce the British Trade Unions to repent that experiment.

They asked me to forgei at story in view of the imminent danger of war Cresaltlag from the attack of italy on Abyssinin, I retorted that the British workers had already demonstrated their opposition to war, and I would be glad to know what they could do lo stop war more than they had already done.

The answer was just what I ex- pected. We could put an embargo on the export of war materials 10 Italy. 1 at once replied that the British Goy-

PRESIDENT LINER TRAVEL SERVICE

makes Traveling Effortless

President Liners' frequent sailings and their unique lopover privileges allow you to Travel ̈just exactly na-yen-olxams And Baller, Stearnship Lines and American Mali Llow worldwide offices and agents are maintained to serve you abors in whatever pace you chance to be. Make your woxt trip more enjoyable, travelling "the President Line way."

TO SAN FRANCISCO

Via Shanghai, Kube, Yokohama, Honolulu, San Francisco, Panama Canal, Havana, New York,

TO SEATTLE, VICTORIA

Ya Shanghai, Kobe, Yokohama and Victorla.

Pres. Cleveland Midnight Aug. 26th Pres. Grant Pres. Coolidge Noon Sept. 5th Pres. Jefferson

Midnight Sept, 22nd Pres. Jackson Pres. Taft Pres. Hoover

Noon Oct. 3rd Pres. McKinley Pres. Pierce Midnight

Oct. 20th Pres. Grant

EUROPE, NEW YORK'

Via Manila, Singapore, Penang, Colombo, Bombay. Suez Canal, Naples, Genos and Marseilles,

Pres. Wilson

Pres. Monroe Pres. Van Buren Pres. Garfield Pres. Poll:

dim.

by Sir Walter Citrine

ernment had been operating such an embargo for weeks past.

I asked what were munitions. Was 611 a munition, or batley? If so, per- haps Russian comrades whom I had been repentedly told were the Gov ernment of Russia, would stop sending That these commodities to Italy. would be à lead which would make a great impression the worker of other countries.

I want once told that they 'hind-tu nell to liaty, and that they would stop sending these commodities when other countries dirt the same. I att Was a good capitalist argument but very inconvincing when used by a "Socialist State."

Then I pressed them hard to give me abe concrete proposal as to what they thought could be achieved to stop the attnek by Italy. There was an omin- ous pause. Then after some moments had elapsed one young fellow said that war was dar lo capitalism. Therefore. we must try to destroy enpitalism. If the workers would only revolt against capitalkm, that would stop

War.

I thanked them for this frunk advice, whitehild was the only concretr been offered, suggestion that had None the las, 1 ld not ink in the present circumstances there was any leihood of a revolution in Great Britu or in France which would have the slightest effect in stopping Musso J's allocks upon Alpenlaa.. Rather it would help them. Was I to take i that they had no practical proposis to offer beyond that of a revolution by the

workers? British and French

I repeated There was a long pause, the question, and I got no answer

Sering

there was that a teadlock, someone asked a ques tion regarding our social insurnuice benents.

1.ነ

Insurance

I took the ense of a man with a we and one child, and said that they would receive, under the Unemploy ment Insurance scheme, 283, in all. At

HONGKONG AND SHANGILAY BANKING CORPORATION

Authorises Capital

Inated and Fully Paid-up

Reserve Fund-

$50,000,000

20,000,000

£6,600,000

Hongkong Currency Reserve $10.000,00 Reserve Linblilty of Proprietors $20,000,000 HEAD OFFICE:~KONGKONG. BOARD OF DIRECTORS. Iton. Mr. J. 3. l'aterson, Chairman.

d. Makin. Ead.. Deputy Chairanku.

J. IL Mason, Ea

Hon. Mr. W. 11. Bell,

K. Morrison. Eac A. It. Compton

Bull Doll, f. E. Pence. La Hon. Mr. M. T. Jolinton, A:-Shields, Kaqu- V. M. GRAYBURN Eq.. CHIEF MANAGER.

AMOY

BANGKOK

BATAVIA KOMBAY CALCUTTA CANTON

LOOCHOW

Midnight Aug. 14th CREFOO

Aug. 28th COLOMBO Sept. 11th DAIREN Sept. 25th AIPHONG Oct. 9th BAMBURG

HANKOW 11ARBIN HONGKEW

MANILA

THE MOST FREQUENT SERVICE Next Sailings.

Aug. 15th Pres. Wilson Aug. 29th Pres, Cleveland Sept. 12th Pres, Jellerson Sept. 26th Pres. Coolidge

Oct. 10th

Bn.m.

ILOILO IPOK

JOHONE

KODE

KOWLOON,

BRANCHES:-

KUALA LUMTUR

LONDON LYONE

MALACCA

MANILA

MUAR JOHORE)

NEW YORK

MUKDEN

PEITING

PENANG

RANGOON

SAIGON

SAN FRANCISCO

SHANCHAL

SINGAPORE

SOURABAYA

TIENTSIN

80 rubles to the pound this WOULD mean that they would recelve the equivalent ol about 440 roubles ti

month,'or nearly

twice as much as

this average wages quoted to us in TURBO-GENERATORS in Russian factories. A single mau, re- ceiving 175. per week, would get about 272 roubles per month.

I could see that this was not be Heved, and I remarked that perhapя they thought my figure of a roubles to the pound was exaggerated. I knew, however, that roubles could be bought in Russin at upwards of 100 roubles to the pound. I insisted upon this being fully translated, and one of the workers then interjected, "Yea, and even more than that,"

"We Are Proud"

At this point the director of the fartoty intervened and remarked, with great earnestness, "We are proud of our rouble becuase 1 is ours.

"Yes," I replied, I appreciate your enthusiasm, but now we are discussing

quration of comparative values. I think that the majority of Russlan workers would prefer to have an English pound note in their pockets than 5 paper roubles,"

It was clear to me from the manner in which this remark was received. after it had been translated, that the audience were of the same opinion 35 myself. It was quite evident that all knew that a great deal of inflation had been olig on internally which had largely reduced the purchasing power of the roubla

Then was asked, would I go a short history of myself. I told them briefly I was the son of a seaman, and that I had worked as an electricinti and subsequently as a Trade Union ofleint. Some of them asked ma whether I had any investments, and the interpreter,, thinking this some- what discourteous, did not want me to

THE CHARTERED BANK OF INDIA, AUSTRALIA & CHINA

Incorporated by Royal Charter 1833. HEAD OFFICE:-LONDON.

£1,000,000 Pali-up Capilei Reserve Liability of Proprietors £3,000,000 Reserve Fund...

.... £3,000,000

AGENCIES. AND BRANCHES: ALOR STAR ILOILO

AMRITSAR IPOK

BANGKOK

BATAVIA

BOMBAY

CALCUTTA CANTON CAWNPORE

KARLA CILI

KLANG KONE KUALA

the giant power station at Dnieperstray.

reply, but I did so.. The only invest ments I had were trilling ones in the Co-operative Society.

One of the workers here observed thnt we, too, have simillor Invest- ments in the Governinent and the I think he sald Co-operative Society." this to assure me that an investment of tell was not wrong.

1 remarked drily. "Yes, I could see that I was talking to a group of budding capitalsts." This struck them as funny, and they simply roured, and good feeling was thoroughly restored.

The gathering ended with an elderly worker exhorting me to tell the workers of England how much the Russian commandes looked forward to the revolu tion in Great Britain which would bring the workers even greater benefits bad than tho Russian workers obtained.

In reply, I thanked them for their attention, and said I knew that I sald many things which they did not agro with I could not tell them what many delegations and told them that Russia was the finest country in tlic world for the workers. It was for. from that I believed their standard of life would assuredly rise. but it might be a long time before they over. took the standards of many, advanced industrial countries.

NEXT:

Russia and Free Speech

The P.&O. Banking

Corporation, Ltd.

(Incorporated in England, 1920).

Authorlard. Capital Subscribed and Paid-up Reservs Fund ......

HEAD OFFICE.

£2,000,000 *2,604,150

180,000

117-132, Leadenhall Street, London, EC...

WEST END BRANCH. 14-16, Cockapar Street, London. 8.W.1. BRANCHES-Bombay, Calcutta,

ilungkup,

SAICON HEMARANG ЧЕЛЕЕМПАН SHANGHAI BITIAWAN SINGAPORE SOURABAYA

FCENU-

COLUMBO DELITI

MANIJA

TAIPING TIENTSIN TONGKAH

Coimbatore, Colombo, Bhangbai, Slagspore.

MEDAN

HAIPHONG

NEW YORK

HAMBURG

PEIPING

TSINGTAO YOKOHAMA

HANKOW

(Poking)

ZAMBOANGA

ISARBIN

PENANG

LUMPUR KUCHING MADRAS

HONGKONG RANGOON

(Uhuket)

Farolun Exchange and General Banking business transtel.

Callcut

Mairan.

Agencies in all principal town of the worki

General Exchange and Banking malus transacted. Lane and overdrafts granted en Approved segrity. Carrent and Fixed Deposit Becounts period.

BAVINGS ACCOUNTS IN LOCAL CUR.

be

ACCOUNT: -—-~ .SAVINGS STERLING Current Accounts opened and Fixed DRENCY-Interet allowed at 2% per annue.. posita received for one year or shorter periods

Interest allowed at rates which biky at rates which will be quoted on application. oblated on application.

CREDIT TRAVELLERS' LETTERS OF The Bank's Head Office in London under- takes Exreater & Trustee business and claim recovery of Bella Income Tax overpaid, on terms which may be savertined at any of boned 1, & Q., and 1.1. Steamers and at

lia Agencies & ranchos,

THE YOKOHAMA SPECIE

SUNGEI PATANI

BANK LIMITED

Capital (fully-pald-up) Reserve Fund ..............

TOKYO

TSINOTAO

YOKOHAMA

......105.000,360 Y.120,100,000

HEAD OFFICE:-YOKOHAMA- Branches and Agencies at

Hoppkong and Alexandria

Current Accounts opened In Local Currency and Fixed Deposit received for one year of

periods in Local Currency Aug. 15th shorter

Sterling an terma which will be quoted on Jinngkok ALSO up to date SAFE DEPOSIT BOXES Berlin plication.

8 p.m. Aug. 18th

p.m. Aug. 22nd 9 p.m. Aug. 27th

MOST FREQUENT SERVICE ON THE PACIFIC

DOLLAR, STEAMSHIP

AMERICAN

LINES LINE

in

various sizes TO LET. Hongkong, 18th April, 1030.

HONGKONG SAVINGS BANK.

Hainking Karaolis Kobe

Ilangoon

Hlo de

Janeiro

San Francisco

Semarang

Shanghai

Bingapero

IIKLAVIK,

Dombay

Celeutia

Canin

London Los Angeles Manila

Dairen (Dalny) Moil

Nerak!

Nagoya

Sydney

New York Qaaka

Paris

*Tokyo

Fenglien

(Mukden)

Soumbaya

Tientals Tsingtao

The Business of the above Bank in cope Hamburg dusted by the Ilangkong and Shanghai Bankankow In Cortication. Itulee may be obtained on Marbl

Yingkow Pelping Honalulu Applicatiun

Intent allowed on Current Accounts. Deposits received for fixed periods at rates to be abtaled on application.

G. BISKINAMI,

FOR THE HONGKONG AND SHANGHAI MAIL

FEDDER BUILDING HONGKONG. CANTON BRANCH No. 4. Shakes Street

BARBER-WILHELMSEN

LINE

MONTHLY SERVICE

To

NEW YORK

Vis SAN FRANCISCO, LOS ANGELES & PANAMA CANAL PORTS. NEXT SAILING

M.S. "TAI YIN"

on

TUESDAY, AUGUST 18th.

EXCELLENT ACCOMMODATION: FOR 12 PASSENGERS.

DODWELL & CO., LTD.

Agents.

Hongkong Bank Bldg.

Telephone 28021.

BANKING CORPORATION

V. M. GRAYBURN,

Chlef Manager, Hongkong, 24th February, 1998,

THE

Manager.

SWEDISH FAST ASIATIC

Ca La

SERVICE OF FAST MOTOR VESSELS (with limited, but exceptionally good, passenger acconimodation).. Homewards to:

Port Sudan, Port Said, Marseilles, Algiera, „Oran,' Antwerp, Rotterdam (Amsterdam), Hamburg, Oslo, Gothenburg and other Scandinavian Ports..

Shanghal, Yokohama, Kobe and Osaka

via

Manila and Straits Settlements..

M.S. "NAGARA”.

6th Sept.

M.S. "DELHI"

6th Oct...

M.S. "SHANTUNG",

„öth Nov.

Jutwards for:

M.S. "DELHI”.

21st Aux

18th Sept.

SAT

£54

G. E. HUYGEN

"Canton."

- M.S. “SHANTUNG"

Pastanger Rates:

Agenta:

Hong Kong to Mediterranean

Hong Kong to Antwerp

GILMAN & CO., LTD.

Hongkong.

and TRAVELLERS CHEQUES inued: also inseng Letter of Credit for use only on

'ports of Cell.

British Income Tax Recovered. Executorslips and Trusteeships usujartakan. ·

W. J. WADDINGTON,

Manager. Hongkong, 170. April, 1356..

THE BANK OF EAST. ASEA LIMITED

Authori Capital

Paid-up Cooltat.........

Rumerve and Undivided

Fronta

$10,000,000.09

5,598,250.00

2,085,375.52

KEAD OFFICE-HIONCRONO,

10 Des Voeux Road Central

BOARD OF DIRECTORS:- fon. Bir Bhouson Chow, Chairman,

4.

Li Koon Clrun. Eng. L. Lan Song,

Wong Chu Son, Eng. P. K. Kwok. Eq. Wong Yun Tong, E, Kan Ying Po, Eq.

Chan Ching Bhek, a

Kan Tong 1o, 1., Chief Manager. Li The Fong, Esq., Manager.

BRANCHES AND AGENCIES-

Amoy

Batavia

Kombay

Calcutta Canton Haiphong Hankow Honolulu

Bingspord

Malbourne

Naganak!

Thanks!

New York'

Sourabaya

Onnka

Swałow

Paris

Bydney

Polping

Talhoku

l'enang

Tentsin

Rangoon

Tokyo

Kobe

Saigon

Vancouver

Kowloon

San Franclaro Yokohama

Loudon

Sesitle

Manila

Semarang

Every description of Danking, and Ex- STANted Loan elunge business innected.

on approved curities.

Current Accounts opened in, Local Cure rency and Fixed Deposit received for one. year or shorter periods in Local and Foreign Currencies aħ terms which will, be quoted on application,

\

Safe Deposit Flores To Let

RAN TONG PO,

"Chiet Manager,

WHEN AT HOME

The A

Hongkong Telegraph.

MAY BE PURCHASED

AT

SELFRIDGE'S

Page 10Page 11