From their observations and conversations, mostly with University people they found that people in general believed, that the Soviet system in which the state is established on the basis that it should own all the land and be the only employer, was right, and any Capitalist system where one man may employ another for private profit, was wrong. They did, however, apparently make an exception in favour of the medical profession. This system appeared to be supported by continual propaganda of all kinds—films, press, radio and of course the schools. Most important, too, seemed to be home influence, especially that of grandfather and grandmother who had known both worlds and preferred the later one. Soviet youth is strongly given the idea from all these sources that the Communist party has saved the country and hence feels duty-bound to work for, and to support, the state.

The differences between our two sorts of political organization were not glossed over but were discussed quite freely and were in fact the subject of strong argument from time to time. Despite these differences the delegation was everywhere well received and treated with great friendliness. They were free to walk where they wanted and to see what they desired to see, whether it appeared good or bad, and did so. Cameras were used everywhere.

Housing

Much of the housing in Russia is still in a very poor state but new blocks of flats are going up everywhere and the Soviet authorities did not seem to mind if visitors saw what remains to be done. Heavy industry appeared to have made enormous advances. Consumer goods on the other hand, with some exceptions (e.g., cameras and television sets) were below the standard of similar goods in capitalist countries, but were said to be improving. Food in the hotels was good.

The people in the streets appeared to be orderly, quiet, and obedient—moulded, it seemed, to a pattern by their education. The idea of equality between the sexes is carried out to the fullest extent. Women do heavy labouring work, but they also hold responsible administrative positions.

Education

In the field of Education, the delegation was greatly impressed by the emphasis placed both in schools and universities on mathematics and science. Today, students who have passed through the ten-year course leading to the university number twice as many as the univerities need to take in accordance with the plans for study which have been based on the count! y's economic plans. Many of those unable to enter university are given correspondence courses and this factor is becoming very important in higher education.

The total result is that there is a very live output of trained minds from the University, particularly in science and technology.

The delegation found that the staff and students of the Universities they visited welcomed the visit of the representatives of Western countries. A number of New Zealand films were shown to staff and students, who were impressed with scenes of New Zealand life including those showing Maori-Pakeha relations, and after the showing asked endless questions. Discussions between staff and students were very free.

Reforms

The members of the delegation were told that a change of policy had occurred since Stalin's death in 1953, and the impression received was that there was a greater emphasis on individual rights than hitherto. Restrictions of various sorts have been used. For example, foreign visits such as their own are now permitted, and the Chancellor was told that a new law permitting workers to change jobs on giving two weeks' notice is now in operation. This last was previously quite unheard of.

In scientific fields, University teachers and students clearly have considerable freedom of thought and discussion, and other teachers seem to have a greater freedom to air their own views than prior to 1953. Yet, Sir David thought that they would not be free to express views on political matters contrary to those held by the State authorities. Despite some liberalization fairly rigorous controls are still in existence. Censorship of books and papers is very strict. Sir David himself spent some time trying to find in a library or on a bookstand a copy of an English newspaper printed in an Englishspeaking country, but was finally convenced that one could not be obtained by any ordinary means.

Sir David suggested that the Soviet Government, while permitting more freedom of thought and discussion, had failed to realise how difficult this movement would be to control. It had failed to see this because in the past its control had been complete and the last few years have been a very new experiment. Educated people whom the delegation saw most of, like this new opportunity to meet visitors from abroad and to exchange views even though they were totally different.

There was a young lady called Clover

Who sat on the white cliffs of Dover When along came a student More ardent than prudent

Who kissed her, and then threw her over.