BRITAIN & SOVIET

Grey River Argus, 18 July 1941, Page 4

BRITAIN & SOVIET

COMMUNISM APART. BILLY HUGHES “TELLS OFF” SIR R. CROSS. (Rec. 12.56 am.). SYDNEY. Jul v . 1”Th P new British High Commiss oner, Sir Ronald Cross, has already incurred tb.e displeasure of the M.nister for the Navy, Mr W. M. Ilugnes, as the result of an interview wh ch Sir R. Cross allegedly gave to the Sydney “iDaily Telegraph” yesterday after his arrival. Sir R. Cros?is reported to have stated that UnRussian system was hated throughout the length and breadth of England, and tiiat only a tiny majorly thought it to be better than a d’etatorshin. Mr Hughes, in answer to-day. said: “Russia is our ally, and these who hate her are certainly no friends of Britain. I commend Mr Churchill’s speech to Sir Ronald Cross and renTnd him that Communi-m docs net enter into our present relations w’th the Soviet Neither does Ru'sin’s alliance w'th Britain commit Rusisp t-» accept the ideology of democracy." SIR R. CROSS EXPLAINS). (Rec. 2 a.m.). SYDNEY. July 17. Sir R. Cross, when questioned to--1 night in regard to his interview, said that the newspaper in question had taken the quotation out of its context. Thus it did, not convoy his real meaning. He (Sir R. Cross) agice i entirely with Mr Churchi'l’s observations about Russia, which were made the day after the break, with Germany. When asked whether he nan made a statement that it ws chly a matter of opinion whether Nazism o l ' Communism was worst, S ; r Ronald Cross replied: “Sure’y, nobody hero will wish to argue about that—or will they?” Prime Minister DEFENDS SIR R. CROSS. (Rec. 2 a.m,). SYDNEY. July Tf. Commenting on Mr Hughes’ reference to Sir Ronald Cross, the Pjnrr Minister, Rt. Hon. R. G. Menzies, said: “Mr Hughes expressed his own views—not the Commonwealth Government’s views: “Sir Rona'd is a highly-aualift o d man—fresh from Britain,” added Mi Menzies. “If he is not at liberty to make a statement resnect'n-" w’v-t he believes to be th_e opinion in Britain in regard to Communism, then 1 mistake the- funct’ons of his H’glCommissio"ershin.”