THE GREAT SILENCE

Otago Daily Times, Issue 26637, 6 December 1947, Page 6

THE GREAT SILENCE

It is generally conceded that diplomats excel all others in the use ‘of to conceal their thoughts. It would appear, however, that the Russian atmosphere produces diplomacy of a different pattern—the diplofnacy of silence — and just what that conceals no one has yet been able to determine. Mr Boswell’s novitiate in diplomacy has been spent in that school, and -he appears to have been an apt pupil. His reticence on being interviewed on his return from Russia is comparable only with the taciturnity displayed by the former Soviet Ambassador to New Zealand on his return to his homeland. Mr Ziabkin had nothing to say: Mr Boswell had as much. Even the conventional platitudes are to be reserved for his official report to the Government. It might be suggested, of course, that his report could hardly be expected to consist of much else, for no practical results could be expected from his lonely and expensive hibernation. When he said he could add nothing to what was already known about the work of the Legation, he gave those who read his statement nothing to add to nothing. This might be diplomacy, but it is diplomacy of a singularly unremunerative description,’ and is scarcely calculated to impress on New Zealand taxpayers the desirability of maintaining in Moscow an establishment so productive of nothings.

It is to be presumed that Mr Boswell has, from time to time, despatched to his Government reports of his observations on the Russian scene, but his opportunities to observe have been so limited that his reports could have no more than an academic value; and could not possibly be as informative as those that could be supplied by experts of the British Embassy who have spent years in Russia. Trade between New Zealand and Russia is practically non-existent, and the number of New Zealand travellers to the Soviet who would have need of the Legation’s services must be infinitesimal. Mr Boswell would, therefore, have little official business to interrupt the writing of his reports. Yet it appears that he will, “ after refreshing his knowledge of conditions in his own country,” return to carry on the pretence of maintaining the dignity of New Zealand in a country

which measures dignity only in terms of big battalions and, with thinly-veiled contempt, tolerates the presence of representatives of little countries on condition they bring with them their own furnishings and much of their own food. It would be better for this country if Mr Boswell’s superiors were to learn that dignity, like charity, begins at home, and the people of New Zealand would be more appreciative of a demonstration of the Government’s ability to govern than expensive and wholly ineffectual attempts to impress unresponsive populations abroad.