BRITAIN AND RUSSIA.

Waikato Times, Volume 107, Issue 17997, 16 April 1930, Page 5

BRITAIN AND RUSSIA.

NEGOTIATING A TREATY. MINISTERIAL STATEMENT. AGREEMENT ON MAIN FEATURES. (Onicial Wireless.) RUGBY, April 14. The Parliamentary Under-Secre-tary of State for Foreign Affairs, Mr 11. Dalton, in the House of Commons to-day referred to the negotiations •which have been proceeding for concluding a temporary commercial agreement with Russia to serve as a modus vivendi pending the conclusion of a full treaty.

Although certain points remained to be settled an agreement had been readied on the main features. The instrument would provide generally for reciprocal granting of most-fav-oured-nation treatment in respect of trade and of national treatment, subject to certain exceptions, in respect of shipping.

Also, the agreement would accord to the Soviet Government the right to establish in London a trade delegation consisting of a trade representative of the Soviet and two deputies, forming part of the Soviet Embassy. The head of the delegation and two deputies consequently would receive diplomatic privileges. Immunity also w'ould attach to the specified offices occupied by the delegation and used exclusively for its purposes.

The diplomatic privileges accorded by the agreement, however, -would not be claimed in connection with any proceeding before the courts in respect of commercial transactions entered into by the delegation in Britain. This temporary agreement would be subject to denunciation at six months’ notice and only valid pending the conclusion of a full treaty of commerce and navigation. It was hoped to bring the agreement into operation at an early date.

The Foreign ■ Secretary proposed that, the negotiations for a full commercial treaty and those for a settlement of claims and debts should proceed concurrently, the Under-Secre-tary added.