MR. NASH NOT ABLE TO UNDERSTAND RUSSIA

Chronicle (Levin), 6 November 1946, Page 6

MR. NASH NOT ABLE TO UNDERSTAND RUSSIA

— -Press Association

Bu Telegraph-

AUCKLAND, Nov. 5. The danger of war with Russia in the absence of a greater understanding and penetration of the "iron curtain," was stressed by the Minister of Finance, Hon. W. Nash, in an address to Auckland Creditmeii 's Club. The Minister said franlcly that he did not see a way to solve the Russian problem but he believed there was a way other than war. "Last but uot least is tlie grcat enigma of Russia," Mr. Nasli^ said. "Nobody knows in its fullness' what the Soviet Union wants to do but unless we, in the long run, find a way of understanding thern, another war is inevitable. ' ' Mr. Nash said he did not know liow to go on the road to win an understanding with Russia but we could not get it without trusting Russia. Unless we eould. get through the "iron curtain," then 'inevitably our youngsters and theirs would be fightin'g. . "There is a way without fighting Russia but T eannot find it at the moment," the Minister continued. Tkeir form of governmeut was not

suitable to English-speaking peoples and while he believed that tlxe Russian' people were better off thau they were wlien the Czars were in charge, he was certain the liussiau form of govcrnment could not prevail in English-speaking countries and still give the freedom those countries wanted. We could not alford to allow their way to prevail in our part of the world yet it seemed they wanted to encroach on our part and endanger it. "I do not know a way to solve the Russian problem," Mr. Nash said. "I thought it looked better two years ago. If we want to avoid war, and I believe we do, we have to find a way of making Russia understand us and of understanding lxeT and it will not be by making belligerent speeckes against her."