PROGRESS IN JAPAN

Hokitika Guardian, 13 October 1932, Page 6

PROGRESS IN JAPAN

OPPORTUNITY FOR, TRADE, AUCKLAND, October 12. Impressed by the expansion of the cities of Japan along European lines and the possibilities of New Zealand trade with the East, Air J. R. Al’Kenzie, owner of a chain of departmental stores and one of the Dominion’s leading sportsmen, returned from a four monthiV visit to the East by the Zealandia yesterday. He was accompanied- by Airs M’Kenzie. Afentioning .(hat it was thirteen years since -lie had been last in the East, Air Al’Kenzie said 1 that he had been struck by the develop,ment of the big cities. . The vessel lie sailed in from Brisbane carried 1000 bales of wool. Last year Japan, which was Australia’s best customer next to Great Britain, imported 640,000 Bales of wool from the Commonwealth. The buildings of the East were of modern European architecture and there were many department stores conducted on the same lines as in the West. European customs in food and dress were widely adopted, 'and it was noticeable that the Japanese frequented hotels and restaurants where European food was provided. He considered that opportunities for finding markets for our .primary products in Jup'an were being neglected, and he thought New Zealand should lie represented there, either by the Government or a producers’ representative.