The Luxurious Japanese

Horowhenua Chronicle, 8 September 1911, Page 4

The Luxurious Japanese

STANDARD OF LIVING TOO HIGH. It must sound rather quaint in the ears of some people to l>e told that tlio Japanese are failing to realise one of the dearest ambitions of the national Government, simply because their standard of living is so high. But that, according to a \vrite.r in the Hound Table, recently travelled in the Far East, is the literal fact. Population in the Home islands is becoming ntore and more congested, and the Government is anxious to effectively colonize Korea. Southern Manchuria, Formosa, and the southern portion ol the island of Bakhalien. Military. as well as s'ocial and economic considerations, point to the expediency of this, and every possible inducement is offered to suitable people, to settle there. But they do not go in any numbers, or. ihlav•in<r gone, do not stay. •" Engineers, contractors, traders, shopkeepers, mechanics and officials may be found but no farmers or labourers, who are people required to give the occupation an-assurance of permanence. And it is principally due to the exalted standard of living in Japan. The Japanese simply cannot. without degrading tlieir civilisation, compete with Chinese and Korean labourers, who have no' conception on their land cf comfort, and can consequently under-live and un-der-sell them in every turn. With the steady increase in manufactures wages have naturally risen-in Japan, and the inhabitants would almost appear to be in danger of becoming soft and enervated through sheer luxury. Enjoying a fairly tempev---ato-diniate and an organise? social life at home, they consider Formosa too hot and Sakha lien too cold ; and l t'-be mainland too primitive. Tliev will require stronger inducements before they will emigrate in large numbers, and the "Round Table writer is disposed to believe that they wouki not find' in countries "eastwards 011 their, own latitude or southwards beyond the equator to the south temperate zone" the disabilities which operate against !tihem nearer home.