FROM JAPAN.

Hokitika Guardian, 2 October 1924, Page 1

FROM JAPAN.

INTE REST! X G VI SIT OR

R,DY. B. KAN AMOR I ARRIVES IN HOKITIKA TO-NIGHT.

On Saturday, says the “Lyttelton Times,” the Rev. Paul Kanainori, the noted Japanese preailter, arrived in Christchurch. In the course of his long career he lias find experience of public life, has been a lecturer in a Japanese University and has edited a newspaper, but for many years be has keen an inHnential member of the Christian ministry in bis native httut. In conversation with a leparler Mr Kanamori touched on many phases of life in Japan, both nationally and internationally.

.Speaking of the educational system of the country. Mr Kanamori said that the standard of the Japanese Imperial University, where lie was for some time ;i lecturer in economies, was very high and ranked equal with that of the modern German universities. I rom the tigc of six, lie said, the children attend the public schools and stay there until they are eleven. Then they go to the middle schools which arc similar to the high schools in New Zealand, and spend five years there. The next step in the educational system is the colleges, where for throe years, students are prepared for the Imperial University. It is at the colleges that the students first begin to specialise. From the colleges the students go to the Imperial University, where they sttulv for four years belore obtaining a degree. In all. a student puts in eighteen years at bis studies before grad Hating. “Degrees are given in all subjects by the Imperial University,” said Air Kanamori, “except in theology. AVe have no D.D. degree in Japan.” In reply to a question. Air Kanamori said that lie had translated some -religious bonks from the German to the Japanese language. TTe bad also written books on economy during the time that iievvns lecturer in economy at the Imperial University.

CHRISTIANITY IX JAI’AX.

Questioned regarding the progress of Christianity in Japan, the visitor said: “There is a great time coming lor Japan. The Japanese are ready to receive the Gospel. Tf one goes and preaches the true Gospel. they are ready to accept. 1 have boon preaching for ten years all over the country,” lie added. “I tun not the pastor of any one church. but I am what you call a free-lance.”

“1 gel great congregations;” he answered in re) ly to another query. “Sometimes they are I rom .1000 to *IOOO, all heathen. Afany of them accept the faith. In the last ten years I have preached to three-quarters of a million people and of those, about io.OOO liave become Christian. As a sign of their decision, they have all given me tlieit names and addresses. It shows bow ready the people are to receive Christianity. All classes are represented from the highest to the lowest. The iinn is red-hot now; anything may be done belore it cools olf. I’URI.IC AFFAIRS.

Talking of politics. Mr Kanamori gave n few interesting facts about his own life.

was a politician and was cliiel editor if the most, extreme Liberal newspaper in Japan.” be slated, “it was named •Libcily.’ and was the organ o| the extreme Labour I’arty. In one mouth it was ordered to cease publico, lion by the Government four times. AA’c did hammer away at the Government,” lie added with a smile. “Did you have a special editor to go to gaol as some of the Japanese papers have?” asked the Rev. A\ . Gray Dixon, who was present.

‘Oil, no.” Maid Air Kanainori. “I didn't go to ;_'iiol either.” Continuing, Mr Knnaiiiori said that ho fust onloiod the university I j years ii.«ro. lull left it for a while to engage in a ]:olitical f:iin|>stit'll. After lecturing in economics and holding the position of chief editor of a newspaper, he returned to the ministry a,hunt 10 years ago. “That’s what I call, in a religious sense,” he added, “a prodigal life.” DEMOCRATIC* MOYKAIEXT. •'Trade unionism is making ureal headway in your country, is it not?” the reporter asked. “Yes.” replied Mr Kniinmori. “trade unionism is.strong and there are strikes everywhere. The demo: ratio spirit is spreading all over the country. The military caste is Insine; its power, and the democratic spirit gains more and more.” ‘•W'liat kind rf franchise have von?” was tlu> next i|iiestinn. “We have not got universal i-ulfrage yet.” the visitor replied, “hut we will have it in a few years. The present Cahinel is f rying to got it. The statesmen are progressive. Tf they remain in power for a few years. Japan will he all right nationally and internationally. It is tin' lest Cahinel we have ever hail and it is mostly comprised of the middle class of demo-ratio colour.”