CANADIAN WHEAT FOR RUSSIA

Press, Volume XCIII, Issue 27909, 5 March 1956, Page 11

CANADIAN WHEAT FOR RUSSIA

(Rec. 8 p.m.) OTTAWA, March 2. Sales of Canadian wheat to the Soviet Union were expected to be completed within “a very few days” and the grain will move as soon as the Soviet Union can arrange sea transport, the Canadian Trade Minister told the House of Commons today.

He was reporting on the CanadianSoviet trade agreement signed earlier in the week.

The Trade Minister, Mr C. D. Howe, told th* 1 Commons that he understood negotiations were in progress for the initial purchase of 400.000 tons of wheat. Under the trade agreement, the Soviet Union agreed to take lots of wheat between 400,000 and 500.000 tons, or 14.687.000 and 18.371.0C0 bushels, each year.

Canadian wheat. worth about 60,000.000 dollars, will be bought by the Soviets under the pact. The Opposition leader, Mr George Drew, asked the Minister about other features of the pact. “My crystal ball is out on loan and I haven’t the faintest idea.” Mr Howe replied. He said that the sale of wheat was for dollars.

“What Russia will be able to sell here is something that I suppose she is as doubtful about as we are.” he said. “There has never been a large trade between Canada and Russia.”