JAPANESE WAY OF LIFE

Dominion, Volume 36, Issue 22, 21 October 1942, Page 3

JAPANESE WAY OF LIFE

Former Resident’s < Impressions A general evaluation of the average Japanese way of life during the past 10 years, aspects of domestic relationships and social contacts were discussed yesterday afternoon by Mrs. J. A: Ashton at a meeting of the Victoria League, Wellington. Mrs. Ashton is a Scotswoman who lived at Nagoya, in central Japan, where her husband occupied the post of professor of economics at the Nagoya Commercial College. Typical of Japan’s phenomenal and unrelenting drive for expansion, she said, was the fact that when she and her family arrived at Nagoya 10 years ago their home had been set amid rice and barley fields and the population was less than a million. W’hen they left; just before the breaking off of negotiations last year, the house was in the middle of an enormous city totalling 1,300,000 inhabitants; surrounded by concrete roa’ds, post offices, schools, houses and hospitals. Mrs. Ashton described the strict method for strengthening reserves which, at the outbreak of what Nippon termed the “China incident,” gave the deceptive appearance of being the earmarks of bankruptcy and economic downfall, but in reality was a shrewd system of conservation in anticipation of the Hong Kong, Singapore and I’earl Harbour onslaughts. Within three months every “luxury” article disappeared from the department store shelves and staple fibre was substituted for cottons and silks. At one time, in certain sections of the twym,. the English tongue predominated in the streets and the shops, but gradually the German language had succeeded in eliminating it. Mrs. J. A. Doctor, president, introduced Mrs. Ashton and the vote of thanks was proposed by Mrs. Tripp. Bowls of arum lilies, large branches of blossom, azaleas and tinted- leaves were arranged about the room, and many visitors wore lapel posies bought from the flower stall, which has become a regular and popular feature at Victoria League gatherings.

Popular Miramar Club. A cheerful air prevailed among men of the forces and girls of the Miramar Fighting Services Hospitality Club on Sunday, where dancing proved the most popular pastime. A delightful afternoon tea. tea and supper, were provided by the women of I'aubmans’, to whom thanks are extended. Entertainment was 1 given by Mrs. Leslie, vocal solos, and a humorous three-act charade was presented bv girls of the club. Music for the dancing was played by Messrs. M. L. Jones, D. Richardson and F. Munro. L/Cpl. Price was master of ceremonies. Welcome to New Principal. A pleasant afternoon was spent recently when members of the Mastertou branch of the Solway Old Girls’ Association met at Solwny to welcome the new principal. Miss Macßae. On behalf of the branch, the president, Mrs. Erie Shaw, presented Miss MaeKae with a shoulder-spray. At Miss Macßaes express invitation the college reunion will be held ns usual this year during Labour Day weekend. Arrangements are well in hand, and during the weekend the usual old girls’ gathering will be held. The bazaar will lie held on It rida.v afternoon, October 23.