BRITISH BILL

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXVI, 5 April 1933, Page 5

BRITISH BILL

IMPORTS FROM RUSSIA COMPLETE EMBARGO GOVERNMENT’S POWERS (United Press Association—By Electric Telegraph—Copyrigb t) LONDON, 4th April. The “Daily Telegraph” says the Bill to be announced oy Mr MacDonald will contain only one operative clause empowering the prohibition of the importation of Russian goods except under license if Ministers think it desirable. There is no mention of particular classes of goods. The Government, if so disposed, can impose a complete embargo after 17th April, when the trade agreement expires. It is asserted in quarters connected with the Government that the move should be regarded as precautionary rather than punitive. It was hinted last night that it may not after all be necessary to use the powers. “The Times” says it became clear six months ago that if the Ottawa agreements are not to be illusory steps must be taken to curb the power of the Soviet to disorganise world markets m commodities like wheat and timber. There can be no doubt that the drastic elastic procedure contemplated in the new Bill is better suited to the vagaries of the Anglo-Russian trade than any new trade agreement that could be negotiated. There is an unanswerable case for the Bill apart from the arrest of the Vickers engineers. The King gave an audience to Sir Esmond Ovey, British Ambassador at Moscow. TEXT OF BILL British Official Wireless) RUGBY, 4th April. The Russian Goods Imports Prohibition Bill was introduced in the House of Commons and read a first time. The text of the Bill gives power to prohibit the import of all Russian goods except by Board of Trade license. In regard to goods which are manufactured partly by the Soviet Union and partly by some other country, it has to be proved that 20 per cent, of their value is attributable to processes undergone since they left the Union. The proclamation does not apply to goods for re-export. The measure comes into operation on 18th April, the day after the existing trade agreement expires. ' THREE ACCUSED GRANTED BAIL (Received. sth April, 12.45 p.m.) MOSCOW. 4th April. Thornton, G'ushny, and Gregory were S 'anted bail.in 55,000 roubles. Maconald was detained.