CLAIMS ON SOVIET.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIX, Issue 21164, 22 April 1932, Page 9

CLAIMS ON SOVIET.

APPROPRIATED PROPERTY. BRITISH NATIONALS' LOSSES. (Received April 21, 6.5 p.m.) British Wireless. RUGBY, April 20. Questioned in the House of Commons as to the total amount of the claims of British nationals against the Soviet Government in respect of cash and property in Russia appropriated without compensation, the Parliamentary Secretary to the Board of Trade, Mr. L. Hore-Belisha, said that in so far as the amounts were indicated by the claimants, the total claini3 recorded in the Russian Claims Department amounted to upwards of £260,000,000 and about 1,«80,000,000 roubles. There were also various amounts expressed in other currencies.

TRADE WITH RUSSIA.

LORDS CRITICISE POLICY.

INTERESTS OF THE EMPIRE.

LONDON, April 20

In the House of Lords to-day,, "V iscount Snowden, replying to a' debate raised by Lord Lloyd on the Government's trade' policy with Russia, slated that generally,, the Government was not satisfied with the disparity between imports and exports of Russian trade. It had made representations to the Soviet, insisting as far as it could that steps should be taken to lessen this disparity.

The British Government had decided, in the interests of trade and industry, that the Credits Advisory Committee should give no further guarantee for credits for trade with Russia for mora than 12 months, without attaching more Stringent conditions than in the past. Negotiations as to the extent of the credits to be given were in progress, and the policy of guarantee would only be continued in the interests of British industries. So far not a penny had been tost in any of these credits. The Government was well aware of the risks of heavy credits for Russian trade and would not involve itself in liabilities unless if was reasonably assured" that there would be no loss.

Lord Phillimore said that by entering into trade relations with Russia in regard to wheat and other primary products Britain had thrown out of gear the whole of the importing machinery of Canada and Argentina. "We are looking to Ottawa for an Imperial policy." said Lord Phillimore, " under which we will trade with our friends first and our foes afterwards."

Lord Lovat said Britain was buying half Russia's exports of timbor and was getting the worst terms in Europe. If. would be impossible to arrange atOttawa for the development of Empire; trade as long as the present trading relations with Russia continued. Lord Newton said Britain was I'ke » man who, knowing perfectly well that a burglar was preparing to rob him, advanced him loans to enable him to buy implements with which to commit th»-* burglary. - ■: j_: ;