AUSTRALIA AND JAPAN.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXVIII, Issue 54, 2 November 1915, Page 8

AUSTRALIA AND JAPAN.

WHAT TO EXPECT Al TER THE jy WAR. The following is the full- text of the remarks made by Mr J. I). Fitzgerald (Vice-President of the Executive Council) in reference to the above subject in the course of a stirring speech at the Country Press Association Conference in Sydney and referred to in the cables last Wednesday : “The attitude of Australia towards the Japanese in the future will have to be changed,” ho said, “and if it is to be changed, it must bo by a complete understanding, not only of Australians by the Japanese, but of the Japanese by Australians. (Applause.) Our objection to Japan is industrial solely; we'object to our industrial conditions being lowered by any nation ; and ive object to tho level of our social ideals being reduced by the intrusion of some persons of any nation, and not particularly of Japan, to the detriment of our own moral standard. In the early stages of con- ! tact between Japan and Australia, we 1 did receive some of the most undesir- ' able elements from Japan, as we did ‘ from other countries, although I believe there was no desire on the part r of the Japanese Government to send ■I these elements here. Some of them 3 were not creditable to - any nation ; and it has to be admitted that like r elements from Australia have got to I other parts oi tlie world. “1 wish it to be understood that in > mentioning this matter 1 am not saye ing a word against the civilisation of Japan. I believe I realise the ideals of that nation, which showed itself in J our hour of trial a chivalrous and valorous nation, and a nation that II could he relied upon to keep its plights’ od word. (Loud applause). Hei moral and practical support and what e she did for us in these seas during g that time of trial placed ns under an p obligation that no honorable Australian will ever forget.” (Loud and e continued applause).