JAPAN’S ROLE IN PACIFIC

Grey River Argus, 21 September 1937, Page 5

JAPAN’S ROLE IN PACIFIC

Self-Reliant Policy DECISIONS OF CONFERENCE. 11l ’ ——• [Aus. & N.Z. Cable Assn.] YOKOHAMA, September 19. An important meeting of representatives of Japan’s Ministries of Commerce, Industry, Agriculture, Forestry, Communications, the Army and Navy, scientists, members of the Fisheries Institute, and industrialists, decided on the following measures:— First: Vigorously to foster a policy to substitute cheaper, and as far as possible domestically produced, materials for leading imports, viz., staple fibre for wool and cotton, shark, water buffalo and other aquatic skins for hides, aluminium for copper, reworked rubber for fresh rubber, and also as regards oils and fertilisers. Secondly: To lighten or exempt from taxation such substitutes. Thirdly: To intensify research methods and extend substitution for which the Ministry of Commerce and Industry will supply funds. Fourthly: When necessary, to establish semi-official corporations for the manufacture of substitutes. TOKIO, September 19. Broadcasting on the Pacific Question and the Japanese Navy’s role, Naval Commander Umezaki, alluding to sparsely populations, New Zealand, Australia and Canada, said that Japan’s constantly increasing population was quite naturally and even more strongly expanding overseas, migrationally, commercially and industrially, like fisheries, and- it was the Navy’s duty to guard this expansion and particularly Japan’s vital interests in the west Pacific. Considering the European situation, Britain was reasonably expanding her Naval and Air Forces towards the Pacific and . Australia. Nevertheless, Japan was keenly watching these activities, besides the American naval movements, and the preparation for an airline to New Zealand and any movement made by the Soviet.