N.Z. MINISTER TO MOSCOW

Press, Volume LXXXII, Issue 24932, 20 July 1946, Page 6

N.Z. MINISTER TO MOSCOW

N 0 “ DISCLOSURES ” IN DISPATCHES VALUfc OF LEGATION QUESTIONED (P,ft.) WELLtisGTON, July 19. Replying t;o a question by Mr W. b. Goosman (Opposition, Waikato) in the Rouse of Representatives to-day, th£ Prime Minister (the Rt. Hon. P. Fraser) said the New Zealand Minister to Moscow (Mr C. W. Boswell) had sent, many most valuable dispatches dealing with all phases of the economic and, social life of Russia, and there was nothing which equid be described as “disclosures.” As was the practice in all nations, diplomatic correspondence was tor the imbrrhauori of the Government, hot for general

If much information obtaihed through diplomatic channels was made public, it would be. impossible to fnaihtain friendly, diplomatic, relationship with ainy country, said Mr Fraser. If economic conditions prevailing in any one of the united nations which conjointly saved the world from the continuation or. the horrbrS of Nazism were made the subject of propaganda, the difficulties, already so very great, of promoting friendship among those

Mr A. S. Sutherland (Opposition. I Hauraki) said Mr Fraser’s. reply concerning dispatches from Moscow was evasive, aha he asked wh£h the Pritiie Minister was going to the information from Mr Boswell before the House. .. . . .. Mr Gbosman .said sb far as trade was concerned New Zealand had imported about £l4O worth of what he presumed was literature from Russia and had-exported nothing. The Minister ih Moscow had cost NCw Zealand ihbre than £50,000, and that expenditure .was a Colossal waste. He imagined Mr Boswell was hoping the elections would be held Soon So. hfe could coihe back to “good old New Zealand.” Mr Fraser said he justified Mr Boswell’s appointment 100 per cent. It was essential during the wdr to' havfe representatives iii Washington diid Moscow. ~ Mr S. G. Holland: What about Paris? Mr Fraset said there vfras a case for representation ih .Paris, but thb High

to matters in the meantime. Mr Boswell’s reports showed he had a good grasp* of the situation. Without exercising, prejudice. Mr Holland asked why could not the House be informed of the information coming from Mr Boswell. Mr Fraser said it would be impossible to carry on diplomatic relations if every dispatch from a foreign country was made public, Mr Goosman: Could the Leader of the. Opposition have a look at theni? Mr Fraser replied in the affirmative, but added that if Mr Boswell’s dispatches Were made public, it was possible they could be construed aS propaganda against the U.S.S.R., and that sort of thing was not conducive to diplomatic relations. Our job was to foster goodwill. No Government could pledge itself tp publish all dispatches received in diplomatic corres-

pondence. it was all a matter ot common sense. In due course, when immediate irritations and difficulties were over, the practice of tabling dispatches could be