TRADE NEGOTIATIONS.

Hokitika Guardian, 11 June 1920, Page 1

TRADE NEGOTIATIONS.

Mil LLOYD GEORGE STATES THE FACTS.

(Reuter’s Telegram.) LONDON, June 7

In the House of Commons, Colonel J. (Tretton (Co. Unionist), moving the adjournment,. asked the meaning of the negotiations with Krassin. He said the Russian Government had a tainted record of violence and murder. Russia had not anything with which to trade to Britain. He ridiculed the stories of Russian granaries bursting with grain. Moreover, h,e asserted, the sum of £65,000,000, which, it was suggested, Russia held for payment for imports, was largely stolen gold belonging to one or other of the Allies.

Sir Samuel Hoarc (Co. Unionist) condemned the attacks upon the Premier. He declared the latter had two fundamental interests at heart—the need 'for goods and peace. Nevertheless, there would be an impression here, and in France, that if we accepted Russian gold we would be acting as receivers of stolen goods.

Mr Lloyd George, replying, said the decision to trade with Russia was taken in Paris with M. Cleipenceau in the chair. All the Allies were represented on that occasion. They came to the unanimous decision that it was desirable to open trade relations with Russia. He declared that the Allies acted in this matter upon evidence from antiBolsheviks who had been driven out of Russia, but were associated with the co-operative movement. Subsequently the San Roiiio Conference adopted a resolution declaring the readiness of the Allies to discuss with Krassin the best methods of resumption of trade. Upon this "decision negotiations were now proceeding with Krassin, with the assent of the Allies.

Regarding available stocks in Russia, the Premier stated that the Poles had confessed that there were considerable Quantities of \vheat for export in tli-e Ukraine, and Siberia. 7

-Mr Lloyd George said lie had no doubt there were essential commodities in Russia, lie ridiculed the argument that we could not trade with Russia because we disapproved of its Government or on account of atrocities. It was a new doctrine that people must approve of the habits and customs of another people before they could trade with' the latter. To urge such a view now was gross foll.v. They had to consider the whole .situation. It appalled him to think of what might happen/unless they succeeded in restoring the world. The alternative policy was to say they would kill Bolshevism, because it was an evil thing. That meant putting their strength and manhood into it. It would mean the loss of hundreds of thousands of men, and an addition of thousands of millions to the National Debt. .lie asked: “Are you prepared to do that?”

\ TfIADE WITH RUSSIA. Keutor's Telegrams ißeceived Tin's Dav at 8.45 a.m ) London, June 9. The following illuminates the almost insuperable difficulties surrounding the question of trade with Russia. It appears the Supreme Economic Council which is meeting ip Paris, has not yet agreed as regards Bolshevik guarantees. It transpired in this regal’d that the British were disposed to accept any guarantee offered ;ulso assurances respecting the existence of Russian goods. The French, howe'ver, were sceptical and pointed out that the Soviet Republic h a federation of states, thence there is no proof that goods sent from one state will not be seized by another in transit. Hitherto Bolsheviks have boon unable to give guarantees against chaos prevailing in Russia. Moreover, the Council wants assurance that neither ships nor cargoes will bo seized upon reaching ports. ,• The Krassin Mission has already proved its inability to find a trade basis in the exchange system; also it is doubtful whether groups of Russian states will recognise Krassin as a mandatory. Krassin is the only cultured man oi the mission. The others are of inferior social status. The mission is accompanied by a score of exports who are not Bolshevists, mostly officials of the old regime, obliged to serve the Bolshevik administration, in order .to..get a living.