The Wanganui Chronicle. FRIDAY, MAY 28, 1948 BOSWELL AND THE BOLSHIES

Wanganui Chronicle, 28 May 1948, Page 4

The Wanganui Chronicle. FRIDAY, MAY 28, 1948 BOSWELL AND THE BOLSHIES

PRIOR to Parliament opening its session on June 22, Mr. Boswell is taking his departure fci Moscow. He lias been on six months’ leave in New Zealand, during which time the Russian Iron Curtain has been firmly enclosing him. He has remained silent. In a historic interview which he gave to a newspaper out of New Zealand, Mr. Boswell, prior to returning to New Zealand, was able to explain that all lie had been able to achieve in Moscow was to hand out a few books and films on loan. Yet for this meagre service in public relations, New Zealand has equipped, at tremendous expense, a legation in Moscow and a staff of twelve is installed in it and in the consequent dwellings that must be provided. What this staff of twelve does with its time is still as much a mystery as is how Mr. Boswell wiles away his time during the long lone Arctic night. There is no direct trade with. Russia, there are no exports from Russia to New Zealand. None of New Zealand’s nationals is resident in Russian territory save those now in the Legation or Embassy, or whatever it is '‘ailed in Moscow. It would be natural for the members of the Opposition to enquire why this tremendous waste of public money has been indulged in for the sole purpose, seemingly, of providing Mr. Boswell with a sinecure. If there is a justification for the "Moscow establishment and its Minister and staff of twelve, the Minister has not supplied it, nor has the Minister of External Affairs offered any explanation for this unsatisfactory situation. The only explanation of his activities that has yet proceeded from Mr. Boswell justifies the charge that the whole Moscow setup is an unwarrantable charge upon the people of New Zealand. If this view can be disproved it would have been desirable for Mr. Boswell to have met the members of the Opposition and explained to them in camera what his activities are and how they justify the cost thereof. To depart without providing any explanation whatsoever is to leave room for the impression that the choice of June 1 as the day of departure has been a deliberate attempt to get away from New Zealand before more awkward questions are asked in Parliament. The public, however, should insist upon an explanation of this affair. Perhaps Wanganui’s silent member could be induced to ask a question of such vital importance! By the way, who is Wanganui’s member of Parliament?