A BUSY NATION

Hawke's Bay Tribune, Volume XXIII, Issue 227, 7 September 1933, Page 8

A BUSY NATION

IMPRESSION OF JAPAN LUW WAGES OF WORKERS. BRISK SCENES IN HARBOURS. AUCKLAND, Sept. 7. Evidence that Japan is an extremely virile nation working at intense pressure is apparent even to the visitor touring that country for pleasure,' according to Mr L. G Godtrey, of laumajunui, who returned by the Malania from Sydney yesterday alter a holiday in the East. He said he was impressed by the expressions of bitterness toward Britain which he had seen in the Japanese press, arising from economic developments between the two countries. The harbours in Japan were crowded with busy shipping, said Mr Godfrey. At Yokohama he counted 80 ships loading and unloading or waiting to be worked. Even, then he was not able to see the whole harbour. Throughout Japan no evidence of unemployment was visible to the sightseer, and people worked 10 hours a day for seven days a week, with two days’ holiday a month. An indication of the cheapness of labour was given by the appearance of the fruit orchards. On acre after acre of trees, each fruit was carefully wrapped in thin paper for protection. The thoroughness of the Japanese workmen was particularly striking. They gave the impression that they were working for their country first, their employer second and themselves last. WAGES OF WORKERS. At present values of New Zealand currency Japanese farm labourers were paid from 1/2 to 1/6 a day. Road labourers received about 1/8 a day. Chauffeurs were paid from 1/6 a day, the daily wage of girl bus conductors being from lid to 1/6 and of chambermaids from 4d to 1/6. Motorbus fares were low, a 10-mile ride costing eight sen, or a little under IJd. Tram fares were even cheaper, a seven-sen ride varying from 10 to 12 miles. Statistics published before he left showed that in the year ended June 30, 1933, there were more than 1,(XX),000 births in the country, this being the first year in the history of Japan that the births had exceeded 1.000,000. He was told by a Japanese that there would not be any large migration to Manchukuo as the climate there was too cold. A good deal of emigration was taking place to Brazil, 2000 Japanese leaving for that country every fortnight under a mutual arrangement between the two countries. Under the scheme a headquarters, known as Brazil House, was established in Japan, and instruction in language was given there to intending immigrants. They were also accompanied on the voyage by language instructors. VALUABLE SILK INDUSTRY. It was a revelation, said Mr Godfrey, to learn of the high scientific standard reached in sericulture, or the culture of silkworms. He was told that the annual value of the Japanese output in this industry exceeded the combined value of the Australian and New Zealand wool industries, and all this was obtained from a few thousand acres. A course in sericulture science was provided at a college at Kyoto, tho students being required to undergo a four years’ curriculum. The Japanese people were well trained in the benefits of hygiene, as was evidenced at the public baths. Smoking under 22 years of age was illegal and no children under 12 years of age were allowed in cinemas without ' their parents. Even when they were accompanied by adults, such children had to leave the cinema by 9 p.m. The “spring cleaning” of homes and shops was compulsory twice a year in other than the .westernised parts of the cities, where 'large commercial buildings were erected. All rubbish was dumped into the streets and burned or carried away by the authorities. Mr Godfrey said he witnessed one such spring cleaning. The authorities in Tokio had a great appreciation of town-planning. Upon the ruins of the old, earthquakestricken city were built wonderfully wide and attractive streets lined with beautiful trees. Travelling was made a pleasure for the tourist, the railways being wonderfully efficient and the dining car and similar services excellent. Louc-speakers at the stations announced the arrival and departure of trains.