PROSPECTS FOR ANGLORUSSIAN TRADE ACCORD ARE UNCERTAIN

Wanganui Chronicle, 25 July 1947, Page 5

PROSPECTS FOR ANGLORUSSIAN TRADE ACCORD ARE UNCERTAIN

Recd. 11 p.m. Moscow, July 24 The British Trade Mission postponed is departure 24 hours following a long meeting last night between Mr. Harold Wilson and the Russian Minister of Foreign Trade (Mr. Mikoyan). Members Oi the British Trade Mission worked until after midnight and the possibility ol a last-minute agreement was not ruled, out. Mr. Wilson and Mr. Mikoyan will meet again today.

Prospects of an Anglo-Russian trade agreement are described in London as still completely uncertain, with a deadlock on terms for extending the 1941 credit agreement ana on the price Britain is to pay for Russian wheat, says Reuter’s financial correspondent. Russia wants Britain to pay the lull Chicago price, which the Russians on other occasions admitted is extortionate.

It is below Argentina’s price, hut Argentina no longer finds bulk buyers at that price and its tentative effort to make further sales through private exporters seems to produce few results.

British efforts to link determent of 1941 credit witli actual deliveries of Russian grain have proved impracticable. Britain would have to take Russia's promise for grain deliveries at high prices in return for deferring for 12 lo 15 years actual cash soon falling due.

Britain is playing fur big slakes — an attempt to break the inflationary spiral which is regarded as ruining tne world.

Reuters’ political correspondent says apparently the Russians will not agree to operate the already signed timber agreement unless a satlsiactory understanding is reached about other tilings. Everything seems conditional on agreement as a whole being settled One ol Britain's problems is that she cannot make a pact with the Russians that would appear to Canadians manifestly more lavourable than the current British agreement with Cana ca. Reuter’s Moscow correspondent says Mr. Harold Wilson s departure fixed for today has been postponed, and after a long talk last night with the Soviet Minister for Foreign Trade (Mr. Mikoyan) the possibility of a last-minute Anglo-Russian trade agreement is not ruled out. Mr. Wilson is seeing Mr. Mikoyan again today.