The Daily News. TUESDAY, MARCH 29, 1921. TRADE WITH RUSSIA.

Taranaki Daily News, 29 March 1921, Page 4

The Daily News. TUESDAY, MARCH 29, 1921. TRADE WITH RUSSIA.

When explaining to the House of Commons the trade agreement arrived at between Britain and Russia, Mr. Lloyd George appears to have had two objects in view, one being to emphasise the great importance to 'both countries of resuming trade relations, and the other being to point a striking moral to the Labor extremists of the futijgfy of its anti-capitalistie campaign. It may be thought that the British Premier was purposely optimistic as regards the change for the better that is taking place in Russia, but a careful perusal of his remarks should certainly remove such an impression. Although he sees a change there from the wild Communism which has wrought such havoc in that great country, yet he is under no illusion as to the Soviet system, which he asserts is impossible, and he tersely described the situation thus: “You cannot rule out thevast Russian territories by saying: Ring down the safety curtain and let the fire burn out ! We depend on Russia, and she depends on us.” What both Britain and Russia need—and that very urgently —is trade, the greater the volume the more far reaching will be its effect, especially on the Russians. Admittedly, Russia’s prime need is a sane, stable Government, and the only question is whether foreign trade is likely to be a factor in bringing about a settled Government, or must await the time when such a safe regime has been established. In this connection it is worthy of note that when Lenin recently addressed the Moscow Communistic Congress, he confessed that the Communistic experiment in Russia had proved a failure. and that without aid from capitalistic, nations Russia could not exist. This statement was evidently in Mr. Lloyd George’s mind when he said: “There is evidence of a clear change in the attitude of the Bolshevik Government towards capitalism, 'private enterprise, Communism, and even nationalisation.” This latest move for re-establishing trade relations on the part of Russia is certainly a hopeful sign of regeneration, or at least the jettisoning of the wild tenets of Communism. JTkak JkiMLES&I -sSssJ. 1®

the country is evidenced by the trade agreement with Britain, being promptly followed by a direct appeal from the Moscow regime to President Harding for the resumption of trade relations with America, but as the important question of the recognition of the Bolshevik Government is involved, there are grave doubts whether the appeal will bear fruit;. Possibly this barrier may prove beneficial in the long run, as it will bring home to the Soviet leaders the necessity for establishing some form of democratic or Republican Government that will be accepted as reliable by all nations having dealings with Russia. In all probability the element of barter will be utilised to an appreciable extent tn trade dealings with Russia, but as she has vast resources to draw upon, there should be an ample margin to cover the differences in exchange values. At any rate there appears to be good grounds for the belief that the trading community in Britain hold the view that the agreement is the right thing under the circumstances, and although some items of Russian produce may compete against those exported by the Dominions, yet if the resumption of trade with Russia will have a beneficial effect in restoring order and good government, such competition will not be minded, while the terrible experiences through which the people of Russia have passed under the Soviet regime, the failure of which is admitted by its authors, should be a warning to Labor Extremists throughout the world, and Mr- Lloyd George’s appeal to that section of Labor to follow the example of Lenin and his colleagues in abandoing their earlier doctrines may well be taken to heart.