TRADE WITH JAPAN

Dominion, Volume 11, Issue 207, 21 May 1918, Page 7

TRADE WITH JAPAN

A LOYAL ALLY SPEECH BY JAPANESE CONSUL. Trade-and other gelations between uapan and the British'.Empire were discussed freely at a dinner given by the Consul-General for the Empire of Japan, tils Hon. S. Shimizu, at the Grand Hotel last night. The company was in ovary respect a representative one. Members of the Ministry present were the iicting-Prime Minister (Sir Jamec Allen), tho Hon. G.-W; Hussell, the Han. A. Jl! ■Myers, and the lion. T. M. Wiiford. Tho Mayor of Wellington (Mr. J. P, Luke) was present, and the other pieata were, representative of the shipping and tradtt interest of the city. Mr. Shimizu, proposing the toast of tho Government of ,New. Zealand, spoke of the possibilities, of tho development iof trade between Now Zealand and

Japan. He'said that in his youth one of tho earliest lessons ho had had from 'his schoolmaster • was that Japaii could ,with advantage export one million yen worth (£100,000) of silk to New Zealand in return for one million yon worth of wool. This lessou he ha« r.ever forgotten, and he had developed the idea that reciprocity in trade 'between Japan «ind New Zealand would be to the mutual advantage of both countries. He had ■been;.offered in hie own land tho choice 'of several. appointments to represent Japan In foreign countries, ■ including l&merioa and China, but he had unhesitatingly aocepted tho appointment in [Australasia, lie had come to Sydney four years nnd a half ago, but circumstances thad prevented his coming to New Zealand. He had always wished to visit New Zealand, being especially impressed ■with the fact that the trade of the country was .£SO or J260 per head of the poput- . Jatiun, an extraordinarily high average. He had been impressed also by the magnificent war effort of this country, and sthe bravery displayed by our troops on the West front. Thisjhad surprised the whole world, and .excited the admiration of his people. Another Teason which had made him wish to come to New {Zealand l was the cordial welcome alwayf) accorded to men of Japanese ships of Svar visiting the New Zealand roast. Japan was glad to co-operate in the war Jsvith such a country as New Zealand. He could not state publicly all that he knew of the war aims of.Japan, but the first lend chief aim of Japan was to defeat the icommon enemy of the Allies. It had been suggested that at fhe outbreak of. war- ' Japan had.open to her thjee courses— fto remain neutral, to side with Germany, or to help Britain and her Allies. Mr. Shimizu said that in reality there were only two courses open to Japan—she ihad to ohoose between neutrality and ■war on the side of the Allies. 'Ihe traiditions of the raco, the traditions of tho Samurai,'all directed that Japan should tfulfil her treaty obligations, indefinito (though they might be, and.,coup in .on •ithe side of ohivalry,-justice', and fair, iplay: • ' ■ .. Tho aim of the Japanese Government 'and the Japanese people was to preserve ipeaco in the Pacific and to develop trade among tHie peoples of Pacillo lands. At [present shipping was short, but construction was proceeding rapidly in Japan, land everything was being done to alleviate the present stress on account of the shortage.- On behalf of ' the Japanese Government he wished to say that the chief aim of his Government was (to cultivate friendship among races inhabiting lands' in tho Pacific Ocean. (Apjplause.) Sir' James. Allen, making acknowledgment on behalf of the New Zealand Government, said that New Zealand never could forget the eorvioes roridered by 'Japan in preserving the safety of the ffllain Body troops when they left our j shores. Japan had then shown, -in j the . most practical way to.'loyalty to. the cause of the Allies. It had been said j jthat the Pacific would be the next great jwar sea. He hoped that this' would j jnever be eo. The principles aotuating i the people of New Zealand were those of j tho Busnido of' Japan. Now Zealand had I laid a course for iersolf, and that 'course j Ehe would follow until the end;'of the war. (Applause.)" He spoke also of the possibilities of reciprocal trade relations (between Japan and New- Zealand.' The Hon. G. W. Russell proposed the jtoast of "Japan," coupled with the name of Mr. Shimizu. and the toastee was honoured in approved fashion, with, in addition, a few shouts of "Banzai I" Ke. pponse was made by Mr. Shimizu.