RUSSIA FAVOURED

Rotorua Morning Post, Volume 2, Issue 358, 20 October 1932, Page 5

RUSSIA FAVOURED

("Post" Speeial Commissioner.)

MEMBER'S COMPLAINT

PREFERENCE TO SOVIET OYER THE EMPIRE DOMINIONS REPUDIATION OF DEBTS

Wellington, Wednesday. Although Russia had repudiated her indebtedness to Great Britain, while the Dominions had not, Great Britain was giving more favourable consideration to Russia than to the Dominions, said Mr. J. Hargest (Govt. Invercargill) in the House of Kepresentatives this afternoon. If Great Britain continued to allow Russia to pour goods into her markets to the detriment of her Dominions, the Dominions would be eompelled to follow the example of Russia by either repudiating debts or reducing the standaixl of living of their people to the doubtful standard enjoyed in Russia. Through having repudiated her indebtedness, Russia was able to trad'2 on more than favourable conditions in spite of tariff barriers, Mr. Hargest said. Moreover, Russia's standard of living which would be intolerable in

a British country, was adding to the difficulties of the Dominions when it cam'3 to comj.'etition on the British market. Cannot Be Fair Basls "I do not wish to say anything about Russian politics," Mr. Hargest said, "and if Britain ca,n trade with Russia, there is no reason why she should not do so, but it should be on a fair basis and the basis of trade cannot he fair under present conditions."

Britain was evidently prepared to buy more from Russia than Russia was prepared to buy from her in return, Mr. Hargest continued. Russia had repudiated her debts and if _ Britain continued to place th'e Dominions in such an unfavourable position, they would be eompelled to repudiate also or reduce their standard of living to that ruling in Russia. The latter eourse was impossihle. Last year and the year before, Britain's imports from Russia had more than quadrupled her exports to that country and if that state of affairs were to continue, it could only result in embarrassment to the Dominions.