TRADE WITH JAPAN.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LVII, Issue 260, 13 April 1915, Page 8

TRADE WITH JAPAN.

AN INTERESTING INTERVIEW. SEPARATE CARGO LINE C 7 STEAMERS PROJECTED. THE "WHITE AUSTRALIA" QUESTION. A represent:'.tivo of the Times last week bad an interview with Dr Muira, the president of the Japanese Commissioners at present on a visit to New Zealand.

"The object of our visit to Australasia," said Dr. Mipra, "is to get an exact information as wo ca 1 of vlu- 111:111 -lectured a ■ tides we may exp.vl' t.i !'c able to export in return for the raw products which we shall certainly import in fhe future. We have acted our part as Allies of C.reat Britain, and we arc satisfied that her dependencies will meat us in a friendly spirit. We are prepared to import wool, frozen meat, lead, iron and wheat, and we want to send something in return. There are many manufactures with which we can supply Australia and New Zealand without interfering with their industries, and this is what we want to do. These include glassware, crockery, electrical appliances, toys, etc., and what we want to ascertain first of all is whether sufficient trade will -be forthcoming to justify us putting on a separate line of cargo steamers. This project is ready to take substantial form fit any moment. Of course, we recogni.e that nothing can be definitely settled until representatives of Japanese houses arrive and place samples before yoiir merchants, but we want to get some general information as to what artWes can be absorbed and the extent of your purchasing power. As Sir Joseph Ward pointed out at the luncheon given to >is on Thursday, trade cannot be nil one way. There must be reciprocity for the shipping to pay, and we want'to know what we can exchange in return for your primary products." "Is a separate line of cargo steamers actually projected?" Dr. Minra was asked.

"We have only to get sufficient ismiranee as to the trade which is available for the line to he put on at once," wan the answer. "We have been mm-h struck with the groat resources of Australia and New Zealand, and we have not the slightest doubt that large trading operations could be carried on to our mutual advantage. Look at the trade Germany has been doing with you In the past! Why should not we—your faithful Allies at a critical time—ii;ivc some share of that trade now?" "Is the treaty with Japan likelv to last.?" . " "Our hope is that it shall last for all time. You may find us more steadfast thin the Germans." "Do you seek any preference in the tariff?" "Well, of course we recognise your first duty is to your Motherland,'but is it not a fair thing to suggest thr.l your Allies, coming next, should iu/o some advantage over other nation*»' Have we not played a better part to you than your American cousins?"

"What about the White Australia' question?"

'Well, t shall bo perfectly candid. Just as a tiger cannot change its soots we cannot alter our color, but I tl'i'nk you have already found that our hearts are in the right place. What the future has m store we do not know so far a? this delicate question is concerned We are in hopes that after this terrible war is over the overseas dominions of Great Britain will think more kindly of u« than they have done in the past. It may bo that Australian opinion on (lie 'white', question will change so far ;is ivc are concerned. Our inquiries in Australia have led us to understand that tho_ attitude taken up is almost 'constitutional.' We regard that attitude as unreasonable and unfair. Nevortheh-ss Jve do not bear ill-will in consequence We arc offering the 'right hand of fellowship' m trading relations and we ire In hopes that the present Commission will bear good fruit. There should be great benefit on both aides, and so far as we are concerned we only want what your Prime Minister describes as a 'fa l '- deal.' ''' I

Mi 3 T- 0 bce " muoh touched," Dr M."iuv said in conclusion, "with the great courtesy with which we have been re ceiyetl ,„ mercantile circles, both h»rc and m Australia May we e ' VCT b Allies and dwell in unity, peace and commercial concord." '