“ASIATIC EMPIRE”

Hokitika Guardian, 25 November 1933, Page 6

“ASIATIC EMPIRE”

PENETRAT3ON BY JAPAN A TRAVELLER’S VIEW MELBOURNE, November 21. Mr Jobn V. Rittenhouse, an American world-tourist, told an interesting story to-day of Japanese economics penetration in the Dutch East. Indies and adjacent countries, particularly Malayo, Borneo and Siam. He believes that this is all part oi an imperial objective, which Japan Lopes to attain in the future. “Everyone knows of the Japanese home campaign for the mass-production of cheap texiles and other goods, to be -sold abroad at '• prices lower than those of any other nation," he Saul, “but in all these countries their retail organisation is extraordinary. Every village in Java and Sumatra, every tiny hamlet there, as well as in Borneo atid British Malaya, has its small stoic wlilch is Japanese owned, for the sale of cheap goods of all kinds. “My conviction is that this economic penetration is merely a preparation for the ultimate military occupation of -these countries, together with Siam and any other mainland country which the Japanese hope to bring in to tlieii ; future Asiatic Empire. “This impression is general m the Far East, but how soon it will be before the Japanese think they are ready to try their strength is difficult to say. Personally, I think it will be some time yet, and whether it will involve Australia, and when, also remain to! be seen. A lot depends on the completion of the Singapore base. “The white man has had things all his own way so far, but if we wish to compete with Asiatics in the future wo shall have to be prepared for a much more frugal and less luxurious standard.”