Through Japanese Eyes.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume XLVII, Issue 7926, 15 September 1905, Page 4

Through Japanese Eyes.

0 ATTITUDE TOWARDS I'EACK. AUSTRALIA AND JAPAN. Mr F. Katiemalsu, a ptominent Japanese merchant of Sydney rcturneil from H trip to his native land the other day, and talked to a representative of the Daily Telegraph o things Japanese. As a matter of course, his lirst, remarks were directed towards the peace between Russia and Japan, news of which was Ilyin,; through the city. "Naturally," said Mr Kanematsu,"we are grateful, if it is such a peace as is founded upon satisfaetnry.(can.lilions. It is not only' Jap.iii alone is cosicenied, hut the ill teresi of ihe world's peace. Tho Japanese are quite prepared to light to the biuer end , at the same lime, in the bottom of their hearts, they atv glad to have an honourable peace, with conditions which assure the permanent peace of the Far Kast. Unless we have satisfactory conditions, of course, the y.e*>ple are quite willing to go oil lighting. There are plant)" of men. and the financing is very fuVuuiable.

"Japan has been.more or less disturbed i'y taking the workable young iiH'ti .'Way to ilu iront, and some things ha\e suiieird, especially agricultural farms. Still, all the families have givi.i th.-ir assistance to ■the crops, uud there are r.o signs ol decrease in the hat vest.'. This year there have on n unseasonably heavy tains, and Ine rice crop has 'been partly a iailuie. but when' I left Ja pan the Weather s. emeil to lie mor. seasonable again. I do not think tl.Ut lln: ricv crop will be in any way such a big failure as .stated in the rabies. Although so many have gone to tin- front, their families are quite prepared to Wi.rk two or three hours extra in the fields.

"■Almost every,'bing IA.I improved in Japan, and we have now about 5i:00 miles of railways. Electri'j tramways and electric lighting are in almost every little town of the country. Tramways are go'ng on in Tokio and Kioto, and between Osaka, Kob?, and N'ogoya. During the war the Government spent most 0! the money within the country, consequently the money was well circulated, and turned over, and the money market was quite rasv." Turning to the relations between [Australia and Jap n the returned | merchant said : "In the last IS lmoiit(hs the trade between Australia and .Japan lias incrcas'rd 1 emarklably, and after llr.s was it cannot

help increasing, as Japan will always require the raw materials which Australia) produces. It is imperative tliat thc_Coiiiir«)nwtWtSi Government should join in the Anglo- Japanese treaty. Unless there is some understanding between the Governments it will lie a great disadvantage (o\ Australia when the gen-' eral tariff collies into effect side by side with the conventional tarifl, which the most favoured nations etn joy, Of course, I the Japanese feel the restrictions imposed by the Australian law, which was quite unnecessary. Thvv are at a\loss to understand why the Australian ppopie have such a fear against the Japanese. With this enormous country around them Australians have notlr ing lo feat' on the score of flooding Australia with Japanese. Australia has a beautiful soil, climate, and country, all suitable for cotttongrowing. 1 understand that thj Queensland Government is endeavouring to encourage its growth, and the <ii;mpressip)i is that the British manufacturers are requiring such an enormous quantity of raw material, or fibre, now supplied by the Indian markets, that it cannot be produced by white labour. If required, certain negotiations could'be main with the Japanese farmers to enterprise this industry, which would ultimately be of advantage to Australia.

"You are aware that the nature of Australian general produce is almost similar to the American, and now that America is endeavouring to export her surplus to the Eastern countries, and establish a market for article* such as leather and wheat, her Government is providing farms, and directly and indirectly subsidising the shipping companies'. At the same lime the Australian Government is quile , ignorant of this fact, which I cannot understand from a nationil standpoint. If Australians no not look for an Eastern market it does not matter, hut if they do look for one they must do as other nations are doing. Otherwise, the result is easy to be seen."