The Questions of Commerce and Industry in the Douma.
In the course of the recent discussion in the Douma of the budget of the Ministry of Commerce and Industry, the head of this Ministry, Prince V. N. Shakhovskoy, delivered a speech in which he described the work done recently by the Government for the purpose of facilitating the country's development along the lines of commerce and industry. The speech, as reported by a Petrograd newspaper, was substantially as follows:
The only solution of the country's future financial difficulties will be in the greatest possible development of the productive forces of Russia, a development of her industry, the improvement of her rural economy. For a successful realization of the Government measures now under consideration it would be necessary to permit private initiative greater freedom of action. Russia's future policy of international trade will have to rest upon a rational system of tariff regulation. The Ministry has already introduced several measures in this direction; for example, the importation of goods from countries at war with Russia has been forbidden, several articles of luxury have been taxed very highly, etc. This question of importation of the articles of luxury will be taken up again by the Government.
However, it must be borne in mind that in the consideration of a question of this kind it is necessary to take into account not only our desires in the matter, but the international treaties which are now in operation. The Ministry agrees with the point of view expressed by the Russian "industrials" concerning the necessity of Government orders for the purpose of a development of several branches of home industry. But the Ministry does not consider the necessity of Russian industry as identical with the often excessive claims of the Russian industrial workers.
The Ministry has prepared a series of measures introducing improvements into regulations concerning corporations. The present statutes on corporations are being studied with the view of recasting them for future needs. One of the pressing problems which interest the Ministry is the struggle against red tape. Measures have been adopted for regulation in the transportation of coal. A special committee has been appointed to assist in a development of gold mining. The activity of the Ministry in the department of mining generally has increased 150% in 1915
