The possession of land as private property was permitted by the Soviet government today for Jews in Biro-Bidjan, the Jewish autonomous district in the Far East.
The decision to permit Jewish settlers in Biro-Bidjan to own land as private property came as a result of a recommendation submitted by the Soviet authorities in the Far East, with the approval of the Communist Party there.
This startling decision, which is a deviation from fundamental Communist principles, is explained by the fact that “the peculiar qualities and conditions of the Far East must be taken into consideration.”
MAY OWN 100 ACRES
The decision provides that each Jewish colonist in Biro-Bidjan, in addition to working on collective farms, is to be allowed:
(1) To obtain land as personal property and for personal use, limited to an area of one hectare (the equivalent of 100 acres). The land which he obtains as private property will be in his possession for perpetual use, for which he will be given a State deed.
(2) The produce of this private land will belong to him personally and not to the collective.
(3) In addition to the land, each colonist is also permitted to have in his personal possession two or three cows and calves, two to three sows and their litter, twenty to twenty-five sheep and goats, an unlimited number of poultry, and up to twenty bee-hives.
MUST WORK ON COLLECTIVES
While owning private property, the Jewish colonists will also have to work on collective farms.
The decision does not specify whether the land given to Jewish collective farmers for private use will have to be bought by the individual colonists or whether it will be granted by the State from the vast territory in the district.
The Jewish autonomous region of Biro-Bidjan takes second place in the whole of the Far East for this Spring’s sowing campaign, it was announced today in connection with the new decision. The Spring sowing in Biro-Bidjan has just been terminated, according to the announcement. The plan for wheat sowing has been carried out 100 per cent by the Jewish colonists.
JTA has documented Jewish history in real-time for over a century. Keep our journalism strong by joining us in supporting independent, award-winning reporting.
The Archive of the Jewish Telegraphic Agency includes articles published from 1923 to 2008. Archive stories reflect the journalistic standards and practices of the time they were published.
