TRADE WITH RUSSIA

New Zealand Times, Volume XLVI, Issue 10604, 1 June 1920, Page 6

TRADE WITH RUSSIA

PAYMENT IN DOUBTFUL GOLD. BONA FIDES OF SOjVTET DELEGATION. Australian and N.Z. Cable Association LONDON, May 30. It is explained on behalf of M. Krassin, the Soviet trade envoy, that the Russian delegation is ready to pay gold for imports. The question is raised to whom the gold belongs. It is recalled that when Sweden recently rejected the Soviets' trading - overtures, and tho Leninites guaranteed £5,500,000 sterling m gold, tho French Press pointed out that the gold bolonged to the Allies. The "Times" states that it is informed that the gold is mostly in ingots, bearing the stamp of the old Russian Kimpirc, and asks: "Can any civilised Goveronient recognise Lenin's right to liberate the gold, ignoring the claims of Russia's English, French, and other creditors. Our acceptance of the money would acknowledge the Soviet's right to it, and inferentially acknowledge (the 1 (hiMmafcy of tho Government itself.. Wo have reason to believe that the main object of M. Krassin's mission is to obtain a general license) to export such gold to England, to sell in the open market." Tho "Times" describes as ouerile and false tho statement that Krassin represents Russian co-operative bodies, since Moscow advioes; admit that the' Soviet has absorbed tho co-opera-tive bodies. The "Times" declares that Lord Curzon and Mr Bonar Law will recognise their own complicity as members of Cabinet if they permit Mr Lloyd George to shake hands with tho representative of a bloodstained despot. PARIS, May 30. "The Temps" urges that the accept* ance of such gold would amount to a condition of robbery and fraud.