Here and There: "Socialism’’ in Russia (1936)

The Here and There column from the October 1936 issue of the Socialist Standard

"Socialism’’ in Russia

 

Mr. Maisky, the Russian Ambassador, recently addressed the Liberal Summer School on Russian foreign policy. In the course of his lecture he said: —

But at the same time we fully realise that we are still very far from our achieving our goal. We are only half way there, and it will take decades and decades to complete the construction of the Socialist society, which at a later stage will be transformed into Communist society. This is a very long development which will absorb the efforts of more than any generation.—(Manchester Guardian, August 3rd.) 

Communists and others who expected the millennium in Russia after the successive Five-Year Plans might note.

 

Britain for the British

 

A newspaper comments:—

British Equity, the actors' Trade Union, has won a big victory in the case of an American show which is shortly to open in London.

Equity insisted that an equal number of English girls be put into the show. Failing that, the permits would be opposed.

At the present time, when there are so many people out of work in the theatres, the action of Equity and its result cannot be too highly commended. 

The newspaper was the Daily Worker (August 10th, 1936).

There is a much bigger victory awaiting the workers of all countries, and when there are fewer misguided reformers to over-emphasise the importance of minor things, such as this, the workers will begin to understand why and how they should obtain it.

Straws in the Wind

Sir Abe Bailey, one of the principal Transvaal (S. Africa) mine owners, is a staunch patriot and imperialist—which, in the circumstances, is not very surprising. He writes to The Times (August 6th): —

I should like to see our National Government still further strengthened by the inclusion of the best elements of the Liberal and Labour parties and of some of those distinguished supporters of the present Government who are not members of the Cabinet. Such a Government, pinning its faith to the patriotism of its people, would be strong enough to tell the truth to' Englishmen (always at their best when up against it) and to take those measures—I believe conscription should be one of them—which will alone give security to this island and its oversea communications.

Sir Abe Bailey sees the rise of other imperialist powers in Africa, where he has immense industrial and financial interests, and is obviously nervous. We do not doubt that if the Empire were faced with an international crisis the “ best elements ” of the Liberal and Labour parties would show their willingness to join and support the Government in defending capitalism.

Communists in Canada

According to the Winnipeg Free Press (July 30th), Manitoba has had the honour of electing the first Communist M.P. on the American continent. The newspaper report says: —

Litterick became the first Communist to be elected to a provincial or state assembly on the American Continent and the second member of the party to become a member of parliament or legislature in the British Empire.

Should the illusion prevail that Communists abroad differ from those in England in their methods of vote-catching we quote from Mr. Litterick’s election programme.

• Provision of work for unemployed at trade union rates of pay.
• Clearance of slums, home construction and other necessary work.
• Abolition of the two per cent. wage tax.
• Extension and more rigid enforcement of the Minimum Wage Act.
• Provincial Health Act to cover all with incomes under 12,000 per year.
• Old Age Pensions of $50.00 per month, payable at 60.
• Extension of municipal franchise to all residents over 21 years.
• Extension of municipal democracy—abolition of municipal administrators.
• Adequate system of vocational and technical training.
• Provincial grants for scholarships and subsidies for needy students.
• Opposition to all attempts at railroad amalgamation.
• Five year moratorium on interest and principal of all provincial indebtedness.
• A steeply graduated increase in the corporation income tax.
• A steeply graduated increase in the income tax on all incomes over $2,000 per year, with adequate exemptions for all dependents.
• Capital levy on surplus reserve funds of corporations and banks.

There is no mention in it of Socialism or Communism—of course; nothing which the average supporter of capitalism, with very little adjustment, would oppose; and much which has already been applied by Mussolini and Hitler, such as the “ Capital Levy . . .” and “ A steeply graduated increase in the income tax. . . .”

Harry Waite