BEAUTY AND FILTH

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 11, Issue 60, 30 July 1947, Page 3

BEAUTY AND FILTH

CONTRASTS IN JAPAN POVERTY BRINGS DISEASE Beauty and filth strangely contrasted was the main impression of Japan received by Captain C. Allen, son of Dr. and Mrs S. C. Allen, Powderham Street, New Plymouth, who returned to New Plymouth recently after a year’s service with the New Zealand Occupation Force. On the one hand could be seen the beautifully wide tree-lined streets of central Tokio, and, on the ' other, the appalling filth and poverty found in agricultural areas outside the main centres, he said. Poverty and Disease Captain Allen, a member of the medical corps, said disease, particularly venereal disease and pulmonary tuberculosis, was rife in Japan. Illustrating the grossly inadequate Japanese Hospital installations in outlying areas, Captain Allen quoted the case of a 350-bed hospital, formerly a Japanese sanatorium, which the New Zealand Brigade had taken over at Kiwa. There was an almost total lack of ordinary everyday hygienic facilities and the building itself was rather a ramshackle affair.

Discussing the Japanese themselves, Captain Allen declared that there were only two classes, the rich and the poor, and the latter were pitifully poverty-stricken. The New Zealand area was, of course, predominantly agricultural and there most tracts of land were extensively cultivated and, despite the alleged food shortage, all the people appeared very robust. So inculcated has the idea of force become in the minds of Japanese males that they . are still a most military-minded clique. Outwardly, Captain Allen found them very subservient and commented that there had not been one case of violence in the British or American zones since the occupation began. Leave centres for New Zealand troops in Japan, were first class, said Captain Allen, and there was no shortage of them. At Kawaua a magnificent hotel built by the Japanese before the war in anticipation of a flood of tourists to see the Olympic Games, was a great attraction.