Letter (copy) : Goods for Spain

              Secretary's. 
HVT/FC/200.
10th January, 1939.
Mr. W. Schevenels,
The International Federation of Trade Unions, 
9, Avenue D'Orsay, 
PARIS, VIIe.
Dear Mr. Schevenels,
GOODS FOR SPAIN.
I have just had the Co-operative Wholesale Society on the 'phone and they inform me that in respect of the goods which have been consigned to Spain, via Rouen, Senor Santiago has refused to settle cross-country carriage on the last two consignments and that there is an item of £241 outstanding.       The Agents at either Rouen or Cerbere are, therefore, holding up very important consignments.
It seems rather amazing to me that, with the enormous value of the goods which are being sent, and in view of the urgent need for them, Santiago should be creating delay by refusing to accept responsibility for so small a charge.     The money all comes out of one Fund and whoever accepts responsibility does not matter very much.
However, I may say that I have informed the Co-operative Wholesale Society that they must get through to Rouen at once asking them to clear the goods immediately and telling them that the outstanding charges will be met by us.     As I say we are treating all this work as being very urgent, feeling that speed is necessary then we find delay is caused at the Spanish end.
The Co-Operative Wholesale Society may have been wrongly informed and Santiago may be under some