BRITAIN AND RUSSIA.

Waikato Independent, Volume XXX, Issue 2311, 15 March 1930, Page 4

BRITAIN AND RUSSIA.

The Labour Party in Britain has been severely centured for its advocacy of the resumption of diplomatic and trade relations with Soviet Russia. While some of the arguments adduced by the Conservatives are most pertinent, and seemingly unanswerable, there are two sides to this as to all questions, and the Labourites advance some solid reasons for the course they propose. One of the main reasons why these two countries should become friends is on account of the trade relations that would follow as a natural sequence. Russia is an enormous country, with great potentialities. A great part of this country is as yet undeveloped, and whatever her sins—and they are many —the Soviet Government is makinggreat'strides forward. As a- held for trade Russia offers immense potentialities. This country is , in the main, a producer of primary products —a country which does not as yet supply its own needs ii* manufactured goods. Consequently, with the awakening of the people, and the development of the resources of the country, Russia is a big customer for all classes of goods. Owing to Britain standing aloof, these wants arc being supplied by Germany, Franco, Italy and other countries, which arc reaping rich rewards from outside trade. We read that France has imported 50,000 foreigners to help work her mines and looms in this period of steady trade growth, while Germany’s trade is also developing tremendously. It is reported that for the first half of last year German exports for the first time in history exceeded British exports, the comparative figures being: Germany, 374 millions sterling; Britain, 358 millions. In France and Germany unemployment is almost unknown to-day, while in Britain there are millions of people out of work, and the number of these is steadily increasing. Mr Piatakov, actingchairman of the Russian State Bank, one of those who received the British delegation during its visit, stated that ‘ 1 If we could arrive at an agreement satisfactory to both parties, and if, in such case, a financial programme could be drawn up which would be mutually satisfactory, it would be easy for us to place a programme of industrial orders in England amounting to 150 millions.” He said, that Russia in the course of the next five years proposed to build .19,(550 kilometres of new railways, and added that everything was ready to function once the British Government succeeded in its task of finding means that would justify it issuing full relations with Russia. “John Bull” in its characteristic language says: ”In essential, the matter may be represented by cases of suppositionthus: I do not like Mr Kowissky, whose establishment is around the corner. But Kowissky is a fairly prosperous trader, who requires the goods of my production. Many of my competitors wish to do business with the Russian, but he prefers the articles of my manufacture. Still, you know, he is something of a bounder, and he eats peas with a table-knife. I do not desire acquaintance with the fellow, a cheeky, untruthful person who does not play the game. Yet—business is bad; my goods accumulate upon the shelves, Kowissky offers a fair price, and a steady volume of trade. In the end, of* course, I shall be forced to acceptance of his commissions. But —dash my buttons!—the blighter shall not enter my house.” All this is an excellent argument why Britain and Russia should resume relations, but there are other matters that present difficulties. Soviet Russia stands for certain dishonourable things that Britain never has, and we hope never will countenance —such as her war on religion—and the British Government has a difficult task to meet in the face of existing conditions. Sooner or later, no doubt, Russia will take her place among the councils of the nations, but she must mend her ways in some vital respects. If Britain can retain her honour the sooner she can make friends -with Russia the better for all concerned —Russia included.