A Japanese Looks at London.

Hokitika Guardian, 2 July 1921, Page 1

A Japanese Looks at London.

(By T. Nakasato). I like London- tt sort. of human atmosphere ot iL Take police officers—what delightful persons they are! Polite, friendly, in la Iligem. in other countries they are, it seems to me. looking for criminals, whereas in London they are trying Lo lead peoples how to keep out of crimes. Instead of treating peoples as criminals or capable of committing crimes, they regard them all its good, hottest citizens of country.

I met one day with a police-inspector at Bow-street Station, where I made a certain statement regarding an offence under Alien Registration Act.

“Now, Mr N said this worthy inspector, “I am sorry yott have done this, hut since you have done it I will try to pul it right for you,” and a I ter lew friendly adviges we shook hands. One feels much grateful, in a ease like iltis, to the officer el lav, in country where lie is stranger.

1 knew another inspector; we had long chats and he gave me every advices such as a mother would think of for her dear child. When we parted he promised me to drink lor my health and welfare. Alter all. even a servant of law is only human being, and I like reasonable disoielions, which T trust will help him to perform his duty hotter still.

I have tt lot to toll about these friends, hut must proceed to other prints. I think London is very artistic,in her bindings. 1 like to command a full view, not a part ol it- U you can get clear view ol skyscrapers in New \otk standing on street-—well. I "ill eat my hat.

In London, on the contrary, f can enjoy a good view of buildings with their ill tires of greyness—a restful colour—touched hv smoked blackness, .standing: peacefully along streets, and Cecil building will tell-mo of individual history, taste, and art.

In squares or parks, in an afternoon, voung leaves of emerald green bathed in golden sunshine and soft breeze gently murmuring her love-song, I sit and watch children play; mot-bet s nurse: men smoke or discuss politics. And all the while music of laughters here and there.

Men and women in London are mostly very respectable and kind. Sometimes,' though, young foreign-looking chaps, dressed smartly, suggesting coining from tailor’s factory in East End, lingering about corner of streets in West End, would east some unpleasant remarks as I pass by. But those

are not English-1 know that, and I do not ear- a hit for them. 1 believe in Fnglish friends. As for their dresses, I might say they dress very thoughtfully, not a conspicuous part in all. Their tastes are more refined, lienee artistic, than any other Occidentals. ]. j s ~ j.-reat pleasure to me when an English gentleman would thunderbolt me, in a train or elsewhere, by addiessi„.r iii my mother tongue, Japanese, and also to see them, Labour, Capital, and all, hand in hand, to reconstruct Ihe war-ruined world for the great cause of humanity.