RUSSIAN ARRESTS

Greymouth Evening Star, 11 April 1933, Page 7

RUSSIAN ARRESTS

SECRET SERVICE ALLEGATION.

BY CABLE —PRESS ASSN. —COPYBIGHT.]

(Received April 11, 2 p.m.)

LONDON, April 10. According to the White Paper, Monkhouse believe it will be suggested that G. T. Richards, now in Engand, who is a director of the Metro Vickers, and in general charge of the Russian business, was working in conjunction with an international group to hinder industrial developments in Russia. The Public Prosecutor on several occasions suggested that Richards was in the British Secret Service. Mr Richards has issued a denial of

the 0.G.P.U." allegations and the White Paper implication that “I or any of my colleagues of metropolitan Vickers, were working against the interests of the Soviet, either by sabotage or any other means. This is no less fantastic than the suggestion that I am in the British Secret Service. I deny both charges completely.” ENGINEERS’ COUNSEL, (Received April 11, 10.30 a.m.) MOSCOW, April 10. Counsel are devoting hours daily to preparation of the engineers’ defence, under a disability that they are unaware of the actual indictment, which will be disclosed when the Court opens.

NEW ZEALAND ACTION

WELLINGTON, April 11.

Questioned, to-day, whether the Government intended to take any action against Russian imports, the Premier said that no definite steps had yet been considered, but the Government was watching the position most closely. In

the event of the British Government deciding to take advantage of its powers, under the recent Act passed, New Zealand no doubt, would take similar action. He did not. think it would be necessary to pass any new legislation to deal with the situation, as the Government already had ample powers to restrict imports into the country.