CRITICS SUSPICIOUS

Taranaki Daily News, 22 November 1929, Page 9

CRITICS SUSPICIOUS

LABOUR’S THORNY PATH ►—— DEALINGS WITH THE SOVIET A NUMBER OF ANXIETIES By Telegraph—Press Assn.—Copyright. Rec. 7 p.m. London, Nov. 20. The Soviet newspaper Pravda, commenting on the House of Commons debate on the propaganda pledge, says: "The Soviet is utterly unable to undertake responsibility for world Communist parties or to guarantee Britain immunity from colonial uprisings against the British yoke.” The Russian Press expresses the opinion that the resumption of diplomatic relations is merely a move in a chess game, perhaps preliminary to breaking off relations. The Pravda’s disclaimer has increased lobby suspicions that the Anglo-Soviet discussions are not as conclusive as the Government’s . first pledges promised. There is anxiety even in official .circles as to whether once ambassadors are exchanged the Soviet will be able seriously to check the Communist International’s activities in the Dominions. Well informed people assert that there is ample evidence of this, but perhaps New Zealand will be least affected. This is only one of the Government’s anxieties. It is harassed by the back-benchers, who complain of the niggardliness of the dole increases. Other critics point out that what Mr. Snowden saved at The Hague he has given away over and over again in social allowances. Furthermore, the coal legislation and the problem of India, Egypt and Iraq are causing members of the Cabinet a lot of thinking.