THE' ALERT JAPANESE

Dominion, Volume 8, Issue 2468, 22 May 1915, Page 14

THE' ALERT JAPANESE

ESTABLISHING TRADE RELATIONS

Evidence is not lacking that tli© Jaiv anese arc losing no time in establishing trade relations in New Zealand in certain industrial spheres where they were not very well known prior to the outbreak of the war. Within the last few months the Japanese have displayed an abnormal activity in turning out smaller electrical goods which were formerly supplied very largely by Germany. One particular line is the manufacture of electrical torches and pocket lamps, wliich are now being sold in all kinds of shops in the city. These have come largely into use by motorists and others working where petrol fumes are likely to exist, and in many other cases where work has to be done after dark. The ushers in the picture theatres uso them to illuminate the way to the seats, and they have become a popular means of shedding light on dark places in the camp at Trent-ham. These torches, which work with a spring, were formerly supplied by England and Germany, now (according to a dealer in electrical goods) nearly tho whole of the supply comes from Japan. The Japanese have taken the English pattern, and whilst they economise in the metal fittings and do not waste so much in the finish, are a similar article from 50 to 75 per cent, less in price. The same electrician stated that travellers representing Japanese firms had informed him that catalogues would shortly arrive, giving illustrations and particulars of all classes of electrical goods, including machinery motors, etc., at prices which would create surprise. Even the tiny onecandle power lamps in tho torches nbovc-mentioned are being made in Japan and are supplied at a. price which enables them to bo sold locally at a very cheap price. Belgium was a great manufacturer of bottles, and when the ruthless German invader swept over that ill-fated country, this source of supply was suddenly cut olf from the world, and at once the price of glass and glass bottles began to soar, and bottle gatherers and marine-store dealers are said to have made good money through their activities. Here again .Japan has stepped in nud is quoting glass bottles of any kind cheaper than'they were turned out by Helgium. Crockery-ware is another line"in which the alert Japanese are interesting themselves.