OUR EASTERN ALLY.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LVII, Issue 158, 10 December 1914, Page 5

OUR EASTERN ALLY.

COMMISSIONER HODDER OF . JAPAN. Having been six years in Japan, Commissioner H. C. Hoddcr, of the Salvation Army; may claim to speak with '. ( a certain amount of authority respecting the sentiments of our Ally in the East. He states that the Japanese people are enthusiastic in their loyalty. \ to the British, and place tho highest • value ,on the treaty which exists between Japan and England. Nothing,' lie thinks, would cause greater disappointment among the Japanese than tho cancellation or- termination of that treaty, and that from many standpints, not necessarily personal, Japan believes that she has a great commercial futuro and naturally favours the English opendoor policy in trade. They are very , proud to the the ally of Great Britain us she. bclivoß, with some show of reason, that she is the counter-part of Britain in the East. They have a great respect for the principles of the English, having found that the word of tbo Englishmen is his bond. A feeling existed that there was no place for foreigners in Japan, but he did not think that feeling was mbre accenn ■ tnated there than in any other country* For instance, if an Englishman brought". Japanese here to teach him the lacquer trade, he would not, having learned the business, wish the Japanese to stay here and work in competition with him. So it is with the Japanese. They had to turn to the West *to learn Western trades, and, having learned them, thero was no further use for the Westerner—they could run along without him. Still Japan of to-day is an open field for industrial enterprise. There was a time when the industries of Western people were confined to their allotted settlements in the various big centres, but now they can go where they like, and live where they like. "My opinion of the Japanese, aftef living amongst them for six years," said the Commissioner, "is favorable. I found them to be honest, truthful, and sincere. In the sphere of industry they excel many nations. They toil from morning till night on small money contentedly. Their contentment is a thing that must strike everyone." vm "i ■ tv