MODERN JAPAN

Hokitika Guardian, 9 July 1928, Page 4

MODERN JAPAN

ENGLISH PROFESSOR’S VIEWS

DUNEDIN, July G

Dr J. M. Dixon, Professor of Comparative Literature in the University of Southern California, has come tp Dunedin to spend a, few weeks with his brother, Dr Gray Dixon, of St. Leonards. Professor Dixon was for a long period Professor of English Literature in the Imperial University in Japan, and subsequently took up the position in Las Angeles, which he holds to-day. Having lived on both coasts of the Pacific and being a keen student .of world affairs, Processor Dixon has closely watched all questions relating to the Pacific Ocean find tho place it taxes in the polities of more than one great nation. In an interview, Professor Dixon said he was convinced that in the event of disagreement Japan would be friendly with Britain and the United States in the final issue. He was a ware that in California the Japanese were treated as Dagos. This was regrettable. Tho Japanese had a national sentiment and resented this treatment.

“Japan is developing its commercial interests,” said Professor Dixon. “The- people began their modern life with no knowledge whatever of hanking, but what a change to-day 1 They have far outclassed tho Chinese in this respect and their thorough system has been a great support to them in their naval enterprise.” Economic conditions were also changing. The weakness in Japan had been the overpower of authority so that the workers were quite at the mercy of capital. The power of capital had beep as much abused- in Japan as in other countries, while the slums of foreign lands were duplicated. The change had to come, i “The people are now beginning to assert themselves,” he added, “and the voting power is in their hands. Customs are also changing. There is respect for the Emperor, but not .the reverence of former days. In a procession to-day the Emperor does' not walk 13 paces ahead of the Empress. The Empress is with him, leaning on his arm, and the people are not afraid to look at the Emperor as he passes hv. As a matter of fact, his Highne.si has adopted many of the manners of tlu? Ivina; of Etiplntid and the Prince of Wales, and comes into closer contact with the people.”