TUESDAY, JULY 20, 1920. TRADE WITH RUSSIA.

Hawera & Normanby Star, Volume XLI, Issue XLI, 20 July 1920, Page 4

TUESDAY, JULY 20, 1920. TRADE WITH RUSSIA.

The acceptance by the Soviet Government of Britain's terms upon which trading may be resumed between Russia and Britain and her Allies makes it fairly certain that Russian exports will soon reappear in the world's markets and leaving out of the question the possible political effects of such resumption the commercial aspect is one of great interest and importance, especially to countries which produce foodstuffs. The co-operative, dairying principle had gained a .fair, hold in Siberia before the war, qpd, though information on the present position is not available, it is generally thought that once Russia re-enters the world's markets her exports of dairy produce, wheat, and other staple products will increase rapidly. Those who knowsomething of the Russian peasants and of their industry say that they think that about two years after Russia resumes trade the output will be equal ito that of pre-war days. Transport | conditions have for some months past | been wretefced, but whether or not Lenin's Government effects improvements it is likely that with the encouragement which the resumption of trade will bring to the mass of the people will come, a new spirit of determination to make, progress. Europe is suffering terribly from lack of foodstuffs which Russia can supply, and it is to be hoped that the door will soon be opened and exports grow rapidly in volume. The Allies are probably satisfied that the influence of Bolshevism is decreasing. The truth about the LeninTrotsky regime has been revealed, and the revelations should act as a tonic to common sense, even among those who hold radical ideas. Not only have the stories of war refugees who reach-, ed England earlier in the year proved the falsity of the.claims of Lenin and Trotsky regarding the "glorious re- , suits" of proletarian dictatorship, but

the reports of the British Labor Mission that the Western Powers have nothing to learn frojn the Soviet system and that the Russian working classes yearn for freedom such as British Labor enjoys show beyond all doubt that such methods could be advo-' cated for Britain and the Empire only by men who wish to wreck the nation. The truth is that Russia is in greater; servitude than in the worst days of the j Tsar's regime, for it is both Lenin's i and Trotsky's declared policy that' there shall be no liberty, no independence of thought or action. Lenin believes in "discipline—iron rigid discipline of the workers by the workers." j Trotsky tells us that "free labor can I exist only in a capitalistic State " Even tho British Internationals refused |by 472 votes, to 206 to join the Third ! International at Moscow, realising that if they did ally themselves with the Moscow body they would pledge themselves to participate in a regime ofi armed revolution. Lansbury's message from Russia to British Labor therefore failed, for British Labor found that the British capitalistic system which they have so often denounced does give Labor freedom, whereas the Russian proletarian dictatorship means utter and complete slavery. The danger of Bolshevism spreading to Britain has therefore diminished considerably, and it is safe to resume trade with Russia now. British leaders have scored a great diplomatic success, and their handling of a very difficult problem has been excellent. The Lenin Government i has accepted 'Britain's proposals, and I our leaders have sacrificed no principle in securing their acceptance. *_Practe j will doubtless be resumed within a fewj months. There may be efforts made by I Bolshevik agents to spread thejir doc-i trines, but propaganda can hard^ be more serious than that which .has gone on for months past. _ Moreover, their failure to bring about revolution against the capitalistic systems of Britain, France, Italy and America will have a reaction, and may encourage the masses in Russia, who have probably been ignorant of the failure of Bolshevism abroad, to overthrow the Soviet system which has brought upon them such misery and degradation. To our producers the prospect of an early resumption of trade between Russia and Britain must give rise to thoughts as to what will Be the effect upon the prices of dairy produce on the world's markets, and it must be obvious that prices will be likely to fall as Russian exports increase in volume. But everyone who realises the awful conditions under which millions of . women and children are existing in Central Europe will be glad that trade with Russia is likely to be resumed, making available large quantities of foodstuffs for the relief of the famine. Unfortunately the Poles are not apparently willing to give up their war against Russia, a conflict which appears to be more for conquest than for defence, but the Allies will doubtless bring the Poles to thin* bearings before long.