JAPAN.

Southland Times, Issue 637, 27 February 1867, Page 3

JAPAN.

We have news from Japan to the 17th. The Herald says : — There is nothing of importance to record in the internal • state of the country. We have not heard of any fresh disturbance in Tedda about the serious rice question ; no new npt has occurred since the last recorded and regre cable event. We are assured that Government has taken measures to alleviate the sufferings of a part of "the population by opening places of resort for the destitute and causing rice to be distributed in several parts of the city. We are led to believe that the foreign rice which the Gorogio have ordered to be imported will be distributed to the . numerous parties who receive their pay in. rice. There is, we think, no better way of encouraging imports than by the Government giving the first example of ,the introduction of grain ; but to complete the measure, we think also, that ..the Gorogio should not hesitate to make .known to the people the Tycoon's wishes and doings in respect to the rice question, and to publish all official information they possess with regard to this year's crop all through the country. It cannot be seriously denied that the foreign trade, :by altering the old-established relative position of the people in Japan towards each other, and by causing a state of uneasiness amongst the Daimios, has in some measure originated, or at all events increased, the present dearness of food. But it is certain that, if left to act freely, foreign trade will heal the wound it has caused, and supply on the best terms all the necessaries of life to the Japanese people, while it will confer upon them all the benefits of increased wealth and superior industry.