OUR JAPANESE ALLIES

Dominion, Volume 8, Issue 2430, 8 April 1915, Page 7

OUR JAPANESE ALLIES

EXTENDING TRADE

COMMISSION IN WELLINGTON

Evidence is not wanting that Japan has early realised the possibilities for trade expansion as the result of tlio nresent European conflict, and one of the first steps taken by the Japanese Government was to send out Trado Commissions to various parts of the world, in order to inquire into trade oDoniugs, and particularly to ascertain where Japanese merchants can step in and replace trade lost to Germany. The Australasian section of this .Commission arrived, in Wellineton yesterday by the Mokoia. Dr. Miura heads the Trade Commission in this part of the world,' and other members with him are Messrs. M. Otane and Y. Nishida.

To a Dominion representative last night Dr. Miura and his associates outlined the action of their Government in sending out these parties. There are seven commissions, said Dr. Miura, and the countries to be visited include Australia . and New Zealand, Canada. United States of America, Asiatic Russia. and North and South China. The Japanese Government hopes bv this means to be able _to largely extend their trade operations, and especially take up the markets hitherto dominated by enemies of the Allies. From New Zealand it is hoped that a reciprocal trade will sprine up, and the lines which it will particularly benefit New Zealand to esport will be wool and hides. There are also great possibilities in Japan for an extension of the frozen meat industry.' state tho members of the Commission, but at present this market in Japan has not been developed. A few years aao an attempt was made to export frozen meat from Australia to Japan, but the venture was not a great success, owinp to the then entire absence of cool storage in Japan. This obstacle has since been got over, for cool storage accommodation, according to the Commissioners, is available at all the laree ports and in all the principal towns. .Tapan on her part hopes to S6nd to New Zealmd crockery, glassware, hosiery, silk, cotton piece goods, to •• etc., and also ehemioals, and_thus take away one of Germany's main exports to the colonies. : The Party's Intentions. Ifor the past four months the Trade Commission has ' been visiting Australia, and all the principal cities have Seen touched. In New Zealand the four centres will be included in the itinerary, and then the Commission returns to Sydney. Dr. Miura hopes during his stay in Wellington, w"hich mil last from a week to ten days, to visit the.Prime Minister (the Right Hon. W. F. Massey), and lay before him the ideas of the tour.' As far as Wellington is concerned, the arrangement for the commission's visit will be made to-day, at the office of the Japanese consul. First and foremost, said Dr. Miura last nicht, they intend to inquire into the extent of Germany's trade in New Zealand. This they will do by visiting the principal importing houses of tli6 City. Tne two Chambers of . Commerce will also, no doubt, be asked to supply' them with certain information. The leader of the Trade Commission is keenly interested in Labour conditions in New Zealand, and will make a study of tho matter while here. In Japan unionism amongst the workers has not yet been attempted, and' there is nothing in the 'shape of industrial awards or arbitration courts. It is the opinion of one member of the commission, however, that unionism will eventually como about., At present the working classes are ignorant of the advantages of it. There are, however, trade societies, 'similar to the New Zealand Industrial Association and Employers' Federations, but these have no Government recognition. They fix wages in certain trades, but these are not embodied in awards. Direot Steamship Line. With the possibilities of larger trade relations with New Zealand there has been some discussion in Japan to start a direot steamship service with New Zealand. Some members of the Representative House, said Dr. Miura, are undertaking'to establish the service if trade warrants it, and the route to be travelled would bo to the Solomon Islands and then to New Zealand. This proposal is quite apart from the N.Y.K Steamship Line, .which trades with Australia. At present, however, Dr. Miura pointed out that the trade with New Zealand was of such comparatively small dimensions that it was doubtful if such a line would be a financial success. Its establishment largely depended on whether the Japanese Government would see fit to subsidise'such a service. Whether they would do so ho would not express an opinion. Tho return of Count Okuma as Prime Minister for another term was commented on with satisfaction by Dr. Miura. They were now assured of a strong majority Parliament. The people of all classes were strong supporters of the Anglo-Japanese Alliance, he said, and the cry "For ever if you .want it."