“GROWTH OF JAPAN”

Wairarapa Times-Age, 1 September 1938, Page 6

“GROWTH OF JAPAN”

INTERESTING W.E.A. LECTURE INTERNAL TROUBLE LIKELY Discussing the “The Growth of Japan” in an interesting lecture last night, Mr A. S. Hely, W.E.A. Tutor-Or-ganiser, said Japan’s reaction to the impact of Western civilisation had been much more rapid than that of China. Her change in the industrial sphere was so' great that it far outpaced her social and political development. After referring to Japan’s “grab” for colonies, and her conflict with China, Mr Hely went on to deal with Japan’s progress towards Eastern domination, and to express an opinion that Japanese imperialism had moved too far ana too fast. Anxiety in other parts of the world had resulted in the Washington Conference of 1922-23, whereby Japan was forced to withdraw from certain areas. There was also a growing spirit of national fervour in China, resulting in the national Koumintang Government. Mr Hely said the obvious answer to the population question was contained in the fact that the Japanese had not been anxious to leave Japan. Japanese aggression came at a time when China was emerging from a state of chaos, and it hindered rather than helped Chinese stability. The real reason was the need for markets and raw materials, and the determination of the Japanese militarists to make Japan mistress of the East. x.. After dealing with Japan’s economic and other difficulties, Mr Heyl said that some great success would soon have to be achieved in China or the attention of the people directed elsewhere —perhaps to tne Russian frontier —or Japan would be probably faced with serious internal trouble. . An interesting discussion followed the address. The final lecture will be given next Wednesday week on “The Empire and World Affairs.’