Trade Pact Urged Between New Zealand And Soviet Union

Wanganui Chronicle, 8 June 1948, Page 5

Trade Pact Urged Between New Zealand And Soviet Union

(PA.) Wellington, June 7. The need for willingness to try to understand the policy of the .Soviet Union was today greater than ever, said Mr- W. T. Airey who presided over the annual conference of the New Zealand Society for Closer Relations with Russia, held in Wellington during the week-end, according to a report supplied by the organisation. Mr. Airey said that by gatient countering of misrepresentation of tlie Soviet Union by statements of authenticated fact, and by constant explanation of the background which gave the meaning to Soviet policy, the society could play its part in making a fruitful victory over Fascism. He said membership of the society did not involve unreserved support for every act of Soviet policy, external or internal. The society was functioning at a time when pre-war hostility to Russia had reappeared with an element of passion and prejudice hardly credible so soon after a victory to which the Russians had contributed much. The United Nations Association wes represented at the conference by x)r. E. N. Merrington, who said the association stood for extension, understanding, and goodwill among all nations. Mr. James Bertram, who presided at one session at which possibilities of trade between New Zealand and Russia were considered, commented on Beveridge’s statement, when in New Zealand recently, that trade between Britain and the Soviet Union was "good business.” The conference recommended that the society should undertake a campaign for a trade pact between the Dominion and the U.S S.R.