has shown real hatred and hostility to Russia. In view of the present position due to unemployment this attitude is very serious. Many of our foreign competitors are now manufacturing for themselves the goods they used to buy from us. Russia, however, is eager to buy our manufactured goods if credits can be arranged. These can be provided under the Trades Facilities Act and the Overseas Credit Act. There still remain many millions of pounds of money voted by Parliament. Further, the amount can be increased by Parliament at short notice. Legislatively, the Acts are applicable to every country in the world, but the President of the Board of Trade has administrative power to preclude any country. It is interesting to note that at present Russia is the only country debarred from the benefits of these Acts.
"In view of the serious position of my own industry, i. e., engineering, it is of interest to note that the attitude of the Government prevents our employers from participating in the order indicated by Mr. Rakovsky (London Charge d'Affaires of the Soviet Union) in the Soviet Trade Supplement in May, 1925. He stated that Russia could utilise immediately credits to the extent of £90,000,00, and that large sums would be expended in the purchase of agricultural machinery, timber-cutting machinery, turbines, motors, boilers, machines, pipes, oil tanks, etc., etc.
"An order of this character would give employment to our unemployed members, who in turn would give employment to the industries supplying the goods necessary for our home market.
"Russia's total trade turnover from this country has steadily grown during the past four years from £6,086,000 in 1921 to £31,172,781 in 1924, and in no single case have the Russian trade organisations defaulted.
"That political prejudice is responsible is shown by the fact that Finland, Esthonia, Latvia, Lithuania, which were part of the old Russian Empire, and portions of what are now Poland and Roumania, which formed part of pre-war Russia, all enjoy the benefits of the Acts.
"We must bring all the pressure of our movement to bear upon the Government, for Russia is a potential customer, with a developing country, whose demands will expand. She is securing markets elsewhere, and Great Britain is in danger of finding herself left outside the demands of this great and growing country.
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