find themselves free of the domination of either
landlord or rich peasants, are slowly learning
the benefits to be derived from intercourse and
co-operation with each other. It is always
difficult to make people anywhere understand
that their wellbeing depends on each other. I
think, however, it will be easier in Russia than
anywhere else, as the peasants are very simple
and have not yet been spoiled by the commercialism of America and Europe. Alongside the
small holdings of the ordinary peasant the
Soviet Government, using the machinery of
the co-operative movement, is endeavouring to
teach the benefits of mass production. Some
of the older agriculturists pour scorn on the
efforts and prophesy failure. As I listened to
one friend who had nothing but scorn and contempt
to heap on all such schemes, I remembered
my own experience at Hollesley
Bay where a scheme of co-operative agriculture
in England was ruined by the same kind
of criticism. The results will be different in
Russia because the Government wants only
one thing, and that is the very highest standard
of life for all the people by the co-operative
effort of the whole nation. Once the townspeople
are able to give the peasants what they
need in the way of clothes, seeds, tools and
other necessaries of life, all friction will have
passed away between artisan and peasant ;
once the advocates of mass production are able
Page:George Lansbury - What I saw in Russia.pdf/84
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WHAT I SAW IN RUSSIA
