BAN SUGGESTED.

Waikato Times, Volume 110, Issue 18393, 29 July 1931, Page 4

BAN SUGGESTED.

TRADING WITH RUSSIA

THE FIVE-YEAR PLAN. CHAMBER OF COMMERCE RE-PORT Some diversity of opinion as to the wisdom of Hading with Russia existed at the meeting of the Council of the Wellington Chamber of Commerce, but eventually a resolution was carried requesting the Government to prohibit goods emanating from Russia from entering the Dominion. “For some time,” reported the exporters’ and importers' committees, there has been concern in trading circles as to the effects of the Russian Five-year ’Plan, not only in respect of importations into the Dominion, but also as to the marketing of Russian products at dumped prices into what are the usual markets for New Zealand products abroad. While importations of Russian goods into New Zealand have not as yet been of consequence, (here have been very upsetting effects felt already In the United Kingdom, where the major portion of New Zealand’s products are marketed, and the matter is one which the commercial communities of the British Empire cannot view with unconcern. The Canadian Government has taken action and proclaimed an embargo against the entry of certain .Russian products in order to prevent the destruction of some of Canada’s industries.

“Large quantities of Russian products have been marketed in the United Kingdom, and a large increase is 'shown in items of Russian manufacture imported into Britain; a very much lesser value of -British-made goods has been taken in return, and among these raw material bulk largely. The credits thus created on behalf of Russia In the United Kingdom have apparently been utilised to purchase from other countries machinery and other items to equip the Five-year Plan. Among the other countries which have been especially favoured for purchases by Russia Is to be mentioned the United States of America.

“In view of the menacing effect of the Five-year Plan outside Russia (and its operations can affect detrimentally the British Empire), the meeting held of these committees of the Wellington Chamber felt that action by the various Governments should be considered at an early date, especially amongst the constituent units of the British Empire, and the following resolution was adopted:— ‘ln view of the fact that Soviet Russia has adopted a policy of repudiation of international debts and the confiscation of property, these committees recommend to the Council of the Wellington Chamber that representations be made to the Government urging that goods emanating from Russia be prohibited from entry Into this Dominion."’ Discussion of Report. Mr J. Myers, chairman of the Joint committee, moved the adoption of the report. Mr A. Jacobs questioned whether the resolution was not too sweeping. Mr E. R. Render admitted that it was sweeping, but held that it was necessary in view of Russia’s hostile attitude towards civilised countries. Mr W. B. Matheson characterised the resolution as startling, and asked If it would be wise to cut off commercial relations with a very large part of the -world. In passing such a drastic resolution, lie would like to see some principle adopted. Mr J. P. Luke, who presided, said the resolution was one of expediency rather than of policy. Captain S. Holm questioned the wisdom of the resolution, remarking that It was not so very long ago that we were taking the same action in re-

gard to Germany; to'-day everyone was anxious \to assist Germany. Mr Myers':,-You don't compare Germany with Rtfssia, do you? Captain Holm: "What’s the difference?" He asked them to remember what happened in the United States when the Southern States repudiated their debts. Mr Jacobs considered that the resolution should be referred back to the committee. Mr Luke: Repudiation is not -the cause of complaint against Russia, but rather the mobilisation of labour against capital. Air Myers pointed out that Russia was at present sending butter to England, and selling it at a lower price than any other country. Meantime her own people were starving, and she was importing margarine. Captain Holm asked it there was any sense in barring any one country. Britain took goods from Denmark, Scandinavia, and Germany, and received very little reciprocal trade In return. Mr Myers asked if Australia were to repudiate her debts to 'England, and Hooded New Zealand with goods, would It he wise on our part to trade with her? Mr A. Seed said that the reason we should bar Russian goods was because that country was deliberately out to destroy the economic system of the civilised world. Air Jacobs said that Russia was prepared to take live stock from New Zealand, but Dominion breeders had already seen the folly of shipping stud stock to South America. Eventually the resolution recommended by the joint committee was adopted on the voices. Address on Five-year Plan. An address on the Russian Fiveyear Plan was delivered at the meeting by Mr A. P. Harper, of the New Zealand Welfare League. He said that It must always be remembered that the object of the “Plan” was to undermine capitalist' stability, and thus force the world to accept Socialism. He considered that the scheme was doomed to failure, as it would be impossible to keep such a huge population for ever reduced to an Insupportable minimum of necessities In order to finance more factories. It had had a good deal of success, it must be admitted, and for the time at any rate was upsetting the world’s trade. There xvas need for refusing to further assist the development of a scheme invented for our destruction, and which was upsetting the economic balance of the trading world.