20 JANUARY 1933, Page 16

RUSSIAN TIMBER

[To the Editor of THE SPECTATOR.] Sni,—Your paper has many a time splintered a lance against slavery in all its forms. How comes it then that you give your blessing to the Russian timber trade, as in your issue of January 6th, which is known to be the product of ruthless slavery or worse ?—I am; Sir, eze;-, Cut Heath, Pantheon Royal, Slough. H. C. A. BYRES.

[We believe trade with Russia must continue and have always been in favour of the trade agreement at present in force. It would not be possible to discriminate against particular commodities on the ground of the conditions of their production. All labour in Russia is in a sense compulsory. —En. The Spectator.]