MR BOSWELL BRINGS ASSURANCE OF SOVIET ANXIETY FOR PEACE

Otago Daily Times, Issue 27212, 15 October 1949, Page 6

MR BOSWELL BRINGS ASSURANCE OF SOVIET ANXIETY FOR PEACE

PA WELLINGTON.: Oct. 14. Netv Zealand’s diplomatic representative to Moscow, Mr C. W. Boswell, returned in the Dominion Monarch to-day bearing a “personal assurance ” from the Soviet Foreign Minister, Mr Vyshinsky, that Russia is “intensely anxious for world peace.” Mr Boswell * stated in an interview that Mr Vyshinsky personally gave him this assurance shortly before .he left Russia on July 16. Mr Stalin, he said, appeared to be in good health, but since the war he himself had seen “ very little ” of the Russian leader. Mr Boswell said he returned to New Zealand with “definite opinions” to report to Mr Fraser, and he declined to amplify this statement. He said, however, that New Zealand had nothing to learn from Russia. “In fact.” he said, “we have plenty to give.”

Living conditions for the average Russian were not nearly as good as in New Zealand. One observation he formed after'five years in Russia was that the average New Zealander “ works harder ” to gain his living than the Russian.

Mr Boswell said his future plans after he had reported to the Prime Minister were uncertain.