RELATIONS WITH RUSSIA

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 7, Issue 74, 19 May 1944, Page 4

RELATIONS WITH RUSSIA

ADDRESS AT EDGECUMBE ! Considerable interest attaches to a speech to be given on Sunday evening at Edgecumbe by Miss Inna Lissienko, a Soviet citizen who is to give an address on Russia. Miss Lissienko who has already spoken in many parts of New Zealand will be accompanied by Mr W. E. Barnard, ex-speaker of the House' of Representatives. In a communication to Mr C. J. Hallett regarding the coming address, Mr Barnard states:—"Miss Lissienko is a young Russian woman, and knew little or no English when she came here a fa[\v years ago. She is now a University student as well as an employee of the Railway Department. What we wish to do is to set up a branch at Edgecumbe of the 'Society for Closer Relations with RuS" sia.' It is non-political and nonsectarian, and aims at promoting greater understanding and friendship between the U.S.S.R. and New Zealand. It is interested in diplomatic relations (for which it. has worked) and in cultural and trading relations. We are also anxious to give the people of the U.S.S.R. practical help, and as it. is not possible to launch a separate appeal in New Zealand, we propose that any collections raised or moneys given after payment of expenses shall be handed over to Mrs Winston Churchill's 'Aid to Russia Fund.' The fact, that Mrs Churchill is behind that fund should be sufficient guarantee to the people of New Zealand, and also evidences the status of our own Society."