PHILIPPINES DEFENCE

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 4, Issue 169, 17 October 1941, Page 3

PHILIPPINES DEFENCE

"THREATENED AREA"

Opinion in the Philippines, which regards itself as included in the Japanese expansionist plans, has sharply divided on the prospect of the Washingten-Tokio approvement talks.

Some observers believe that if a way is found to give Japan an "honourable" escape l'rom her present predicament, she can be weaned from the Axis.

Others believe that Japan is pursuing an appeasement policy with the United States until she is ready to strike again.

If Japan strikes southwards they be I'.eve that the Philipinnes will be menaced as they present a threat to Japanese communications with any expeditionary force she might send against the Dutch outer islands or Malaya.

There is a growing public demand in the Philippines for a coalition between the British, Dutch, Chinese and Russians, so that the Japanese can lie told to abandon the Axis and make a constructive Far East settlement with the Democracies, including the abandonment of aggression

and guarantees against a recurrence

or face the consequences —an airtight economic blockade, if necessary. by military force.

OUR OVERSEAS TRADE Exports for the year to June 30, 1941, amounted to £(55, 1 760,530 and imports to £46,184,9(57 —an, excess of exports over imports of £19,581,5(53, as compared with £19,788,603 in 1939-

40. The decline in exports amounted to £92,1 Of), due chiefly to the heavy carry-over of wool, exports being down 2.7 per cent. Frozen meat was* well down also, although there was a substantial increase in beef exported and a slight increase of veal. It was the large increase in the cheese export—43 per cent — and the smaller increase (17 per cent) of the butter exported which saved the export figures from an unhealthy slump.

Impoits were higher than in the previous year by £114,934, but for the half-year ending June 30, 1941, imports were down to £22,056,787, a decrease of 11 per cent.