BRITAIN & SOVIET

Hokitika Guardian, 20 May 1931, Page 6

BRITAIN & SOVIET

TRADE AGREEMENT.

(British Official Wireless.)

RUGBY May 18

When Sir Austin Chamberlain raised the. question of Russia in the House of Commons to-night, he charged the Labour Government with having allowed the Soviet Government to ignore the solemn warning given them when diplomatic relations were renewed, and with having thereby broken the pledge given to the House of Commons on that occasion. He asked why Russia Qi>d been given speeialiy-favoureW treatment under the Exports Credit Scheme, at a time when Russia continued to break her promises.

The Prime Minister, Mr McDonald, in reply, cited speeches made by Sir A. Chamberlain when ho was Foreign Secretary, and suggested, that the latter had then urged the inadvisability of taking a narrow view regarding the breach of the Anglo-Russian agreement So far as Soviet influence in this country was concerned, the Prime Minister said, some of the reasons that were present in Sir A. Chamberlain’s mind in 1926 were still present in the, mine} of the Labour Government, and had led them to a sound conclusion that the trade agreement need not be broken. He admitted that the trade returns from Russia were disappointing, but he denied that anything was to be gained by breaking off relations with that country, or that any of the problems they had to lace abroad, or at home, would thereby be simplified. LONDON. May 19.

In the House of Commons, Mr Winston Churchill said that the Conservatives had carried on the first Labour Government’s Russian policy fill their patience and toleration had Peen-ex-hausted. Then they turned out the Russians. Mr MacDonald had brought them back, and lie was responsible for the consequences of this in every sphere, including India.. The United ■States, he said, had more favourable trade with Russia than Britain had.

Mr Dalton, replying, said that Russia would he represented at the Disarmament Conference, but the prospects for it would he rendered futile if Anglo-Russian relations were broken off.

Sir A. Chamberlain’s amendment to reduce the vote was defeated by 243 votes to 223. The division result was announced amidst Conservative cries of ‘‘Saved hv the Liberals!”