RUSSIAN POLICY

Hokitika Guardian, 13 May 1933, Page 6

RUSSIAN POLICY

DISCUSSED IN HOUSE OF LOROS

LONDON, April 20

lii the House of Lords, Lord Pousonby raised the question of the Government’s Russian policy, and protested against the embargo on Ruivaii, goods.

He suit! that though the IJ'nglish engineers should he released, there Was no need anywise for a breach of Ang-lo-Russian relations. The Government had adopted the worst possible manner in handling the Moscow ,'al problem. Sir J. Simon deliberately worked the Commons to frenzied indignation, then followed pure ./eloclraiua, the. Privy Council meeting i-nvly in the morning at,Windsor.;" If,Che Government had delayed the embargo for 4&i 'hours, Thornton and MaciDonald would have been liberated by now. Foreign press opinion was convinced that without the Government’s blundering, the remaining prisoners yeuld have been quickly deport id. The whole business showed that the' Gow ernmcnt’s principal desire was to use the case as an excuse again for a breach of relations.

Lord Hailsham, replying, said every syllable of Lord Ponsonby’s speech l was calculated to prevent the release of Thornton,and MacDonald. By some odd kjuk in mentality, British Social- j ists were always disposed to think i their own country was in the- wrong. I This fallacy did not characterise the Socialists in any other country. Presumably as they desired the releases, j the Labourites were convinced of the Englishmen’s innocence, and must

therefore admit there 'had been a gross miscarriage of justice. The early Council meeting at Windsor was held for His Majesty’s convenience. Presumably, Labour would have done nothing ,in the matter, hut simply awaited the Soviet’s pleasure not to press the sentences. The facts did not bear out the suggestion that the men would, have been liberated if the embargo had not been enacted. “I am glad that Lord Pqnsonb.v stated the Government desired a breach with Russia, as it enables me

to state categorically it is untrue. The powers were obtained solely to secure the, lives and liberties of our men. There is no intention of using them for any other purpose. The embargo will continue only so Jong as Thornton and MacDonald are in prison.”

Lord Ponsonby forced a division on his motion calling for papers. It was defeated hv 53 t 0 ■7.

The British embargo on Russian

imports came into operation at 5 P'.m. to-day. Any goods now receiv-

ed from there, must he taken back to Russia, or. bfe disposed of elsewhere.