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Hokitika Guardian, 19 April 1928, Page 2

Ttinitr: are few countries in the world, considers an exchange, in which there would tinpeaf to he less scope lor the propagation of toininunism than Japan. For though Ihe form of government is constitutional, the mass of the people, whether in a political or an economic sense, have little their cHurts to emancipate themselves ini\* Mill hampered by (the feudal traditions and the aristocratic prejudices of the country. It is a siguifica.nt. fact that, following closely on the recent extension of the franchise, the Government has decided to take steps to ascertain the eon-lit u( inine status of the “proletarian members." Under such a system there should be little scope for tile development of revolutionary organisations. But the natural discontent of the masses lias provided the Bolsheviks wilth their opportunity, and emissaries from Moscow are now active throughout the country. The .laiumese Government, accustomed to act without much regard for the will of the people, has already taken stopu to deal with the emergency, and though wo are assured that the relations between Russia and Jnpn are not likely to bo strained, we may expect that a vigorous policy will bo at oik 0 instituted to prevent Bolshevism from securing in Japan the footho'd that it has already gained in China. The effort is likely to To more successful, the country being more circumscribed and the people better equipped educationally. At the same time, the Communistic spirit is very penetrating, and does not bow readily to rebuffs. The Japa nose leaders are alert, and being forewarned by the plight of China appear to have taken their cue betimes and do not intend to leave much to chance, or Bolshevism to take a serious bold. Without applying •counteracting 'influences to check the insidious political evil.