THE JAPANESE.

Taihape Daily Times, 2 May 1918, Page 3

THE JAPANESE.

WILL NOT GIVE UP GERMAN COLONIES. ; "Auckland, April 29. The Japanese Consul-General in Australia ,the Hon. Seiaburo Shimzu, has arrived on his first official visit to New Zealand. He said he brought from the people of Japan a message expressing their cordial friendship and goodwill towards the people of New Zealand and the sincere hope of his countrymen that peaceful relations commercially will continue to grow without hindrance and that the two countries may co-operate for the furtherance of peacethToughout the Paci. fie. Since the outbreak of war, he sale, Japanese imports into New Zealand had increased five or six times. He emphasised that Japan was not merely seeking an outlet for their own goods, but were offering markets for New Zealand products. The tratfe between Australia and Japan was in favour of the former in the proportion of three to two. The visitor referred tr the rapid development of shipping in Japan. Asked what was the attitude of his Government towards Germa~hy's Pacific possessions, Mr. Shimzu replied that "no official announcement has yet been made, but it is the strong determination of the Japanese nation that the island possessions taken from Germany shall not be returned."