GLIMPSING THE EAST

Hokitika Guardian, 11 September 1929, Page 7

GLIMPSING THE EAST

THE WESTERNISING OF THE JAPANESE.

ENGLISH SPOKEN; EVERY-

WHERE.

WELLINGTON, Sept. 7. Another interesting letter has come from Mr M. Marks, of Wellington, who is visiting the East-: “In my last letter,’’ writes Mr. Marks, from the s.s. Kyber, hound to the Straits Settlements, “I gave you a few impressions of Hong-Kong, written on the rvay up to Shanghai. This Shanghai—the Melbourne of the Fast—is the busy shipping centre of China. Its river traffic is a revelation. All ,the way up it is literally a. forest of mas’s, and looking on onfei is constantly drawing in one’s breath as a collision seems inevitable. All kind of queer craft are ‘ dodging about, just missing the bows of the Empress of Asia as she steams steadily up-stream. About ten miles from the junction of the Yangtze and the ? hnng->u the traffic became so thick that one marvelled ‘at the freedom from accident, but from the junction to the Customs Wharf the river is absolutely congested, and it continues like that for some miles up the river —liners, ’sampans,‘ warships of all nations, schooners, junks, and the myriad river craft on which people live all their lives and for generation after generation.

SEARCHED BY CHINESE SOLDIERS.

“On our first trip abroad in Shanghai we had a funny experience. We wero imotor’ing n few miles from the city v’hen we were ordered to stop and leave our car, and upon doing so wore individually searched by Chinese soldiers. I don’t know the reason for this, other than that personally I seemed to attract a- lot of attention both in China and Japan,, no doubt owing to my bulk and impudence. Shanghai, you must tinderstand, is the seat of the trouble between the rival factions in . China, and we may have excited attention as possible Bolsheviks. I felt like one whilst being searched. We had scarcely time to simmer down from the little bit of excitement when we found ourselves up against it financially endeavouring to work out the relative values of the ven and the sen in exchange for the Britisli florin and Shanghai dollars and cents. In the exchange from the one to the other the poor traveller loses a bit every time. Even the rickshaw boys will not accept a,ny money except that of his own country.

AMAZING JAPAN. “And now a word or two about Japan—the wonderland of the Far East,” continues Mr Marks. “So much has been written of Japan by writers of distinction that it would be almost impertinence) on my part to do so in any serious way after a week’s sojourn in the,, country, so I will do nothing more than offer you a few impressions of this wonderfulcountry, which previous to some eighty years ago was terra incognita to the people of the western world. Though the history of , Japan goes back to 2500 years, it has only been within the last generation that it lias made such giant strides, the manner of which is a challenge to the whole of tiie civilised world. Although in area Japan is not more than double the size of New Zealand, it lceds 80,000,000 people, and lot it be remembered that, like) New Zealand, a very- largo portion of the islands consist of poor, mountainous country, which is not capable of cultivation though in the high ranges tea planting has (been carried out to an extent that cannot fail to excite the admiration of the visitor.

RAILWAYS TIP TO WESTERN STANDARD.

“The railways of Japan take one through thousands upon thousands of acres of rice fields. Even where factories raise their heads—and from Kobe to Osaka there aer hundreds of huge chimneys—the rice is plantod right up to the factory door, and one gets the impression that Japan, from one end to the other, is a land of factories and cultivated fields. The railway system is excellent. The passenger traffic is very heavy, but the control is simply splendid. The service generally does not compare unfavourably with the railways of any part of the western world.

TOKIO A MODERN CITY. “The largest cities of Japan (it may surprise you to know that Tokio is the third largest oity in the world, with a population of over 13,000.000) arc very Western in their methods, and I consider it a compliment to the English-speaking peoples that the only language in pretty general use other than Japanese is English; and tljerc is every possibility in the not very far distant future of English becoming the business language of Japan. Yokohama has recovered from the great earthquake of six years ago in a manner that commands one’s admiration; and Osaka, with its 2.000.600 people, and Kobe, with fts POO,COO, are remarkable testimonials to the general advance, of the Japanese nation. “The visits I paid to the beauty spots of Japan (Kyoto. Myanadiita. and Nikko), though all too short, convinced me of the thoroughness of the Japanese in making them comparable to the best show places of the world. The railway line along the

■banks of the Kodzu River, the construction of which must have entailed an expenditure of millions, is a triumph of engineering as well as an objteet-lessonh and, after seeing it, my fellow-New Zealander and myself agreed that Sir Joseph Ward was quite mild in the proposals regarding the completion of the Main Trunk lines of New Zealand.

LIKE NEW ZEALAND. “Japan in many respects resembles New Zealand,” says Air Marks, “and like New Zealand, appeals very strongly to the traveller in search of beauty, rest, and comfort. The betels are really wonderful, and the accommodation offered the tourist at the show places, as well as in the large centres, is really admirable, and largely conducive to the return of the traveller. In this respect I am sorry to say that New Zealand is sadly lacking, and after sampling the comforts of Japan it is small wonder that world travellers find so much fault with the accommodation. WOMEN’S DRESS WESTERNISED. “I leave with a sincere admiration for the Japanese character. The people are amiable and kindly, and never seem to lose their tempers. When I think of the number of times we have nearly killed people whilst motoring there has never been one instance when the nearly-slaughtered has turned and reviled us, as they would in our own country. Of the women I can only speak in the highest terms. They are shy and courteous, and give splendid service in the hotels as waitresses. My only regret is that they are rapidly giving up their native dress for Western ocslumes. Possibly from a sanitary point of view it is better so, but the oka m of Nagasaki (which .■‘till preserves the old customs of Japan reg rding dress) lives pleasantly in one’s memory.

“I’ve heard nothing of Now Zealand for months—don’t believe there is such a place. One gets no world news here—not even front Britain. Australia and New Zealand are never mentioned.”