TRADE WITH RUSSIA

Dominion, Volume 23, Issue 114, 7 February 1930, Page 11

TRADE WITH RUSSIA

EFFORTS TO INCREASE IT COMMERCIAL AGREEMENT DESIRED DEBATE IN HOUSE OF COMMONS The House of Commons agreed to a motion urging the Government, in view of the grave & state of unemployment, to explore every avenue which would lead to increased trade with Russia, and declaring that a commercial agreement should be arranged. British Official Wireless (Rec. February 6, 5.5 p.m.). Rugby, February 5. Miss Wilkinson (Labour) initiated In the House of Commons a debate on trade with Russia. She moved that in view of the grave state of unemployment in this country, particularly in heavy industries, and the imperative need for new markets for British goods, the Government should energetically explore every avenue which would lead to increased trade with Russia, and that in order to put this trade on a stable basis a commercial agreement should be arranged between the two countries. Mr. G. M. Gillett, Secretary for the Overseas Trade Department, replying to the discussion, said his department had done what was often done by goahead business Arms. It had sent out representatives to investigate the position in Russia. The Government was doing everything possible to increase trade with Russia. If Russia desired to raise credit in this country, a settlement of various debt questions was a fundamental necessity if any large amount of money was going to be secured in this country. When one looked at the position of the London money market to-day, based on the recent financial crisis, and the effect of the great slump in the United States, one knew perfectly well that for any country at present there were special difficulties in raising loans on the London money market. The Government had to bear this matter in mind, and it was impossible to expect that to any great extent it could be responsible for finding credit for any other Government under present conditions. There was evidence that a large proportion of the business done with Russia would not have been undertaken without the assistance of the Exports Credit System. The action of the Labour Government in opening negotiations with Russia had already resulted to a small extent in an increased export trade, and what was equally or more important, a better feeling between the two nations, which was likely to lead to better results In the future. The Government hoped very shortly that a commercial agreement would be entered into between the two countries. The motion was agreed to. THE KOUTEPOFF MYSTERY WHITE RUSSIANS’ FUNDS NOT TAKEN {United Trcts Association. —By Electric Telegraph.—Copyright.) Paris, February 5. The police have speedily falsified the Moscow suggestion that General Koutepoff took a large sum of money to South America. It is established that the whole of the White Russians’ fund is safe in the hands of Koutepoff’s successor, General Miller. Three thousand volunteer Whites are searching Paris for a grey limousine, in which it is believed a bogus policeman kidnapped Koutepoff.