FURTHER DETAILS

Wairarapa Times-Age, 2 August 1940, Page 5

FURTHER DETAILS

NEW NATIONAL STRUCTURE -fZ world at historic Z TURNING POINT. "> GREAT TRIAL CONFRONTING JAPAN. (By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright) TOKIO, August 1. The statement on Japan’s foreign policy made by Mr Matsuoka declared that for fulfilment of the policy Japan would swiftly establish “an unshakable national structure of her own, adapted to meet the requirements of the new developments both at home and abroad.” In this connection, Mr Matsuoka stated: “The world stands at a great'historic turning point. It is about to witness the creation of new forms of government. economy and culture based on the growth and development of sundry groups of States. “Japan, too, is confronted by a greater trial than she has ever before experienced in her history. “In order to carry out fully at this juncture our national policy in accordance with the lofty spirit on which the country was founded it is an important task of urgent necessity that we should grasp the inevitable trends in the development of world history, effect speedily fundamental renovations in all lines of government and strive for perfection in the State structures for national defence.” The foreign policy, which aims ultimately at the construction of the new order in Greater East Asia, the statement continued, would be directed primarily toward a complete settlement of the China affair and advancement of Japan's national fortune "by taking a far-sighted view of the drastic changes in the international situation and formulating constructive, flexible measures.” ADAPTING THE DIET. The statement stressed, under the head of internal administration, the necessity of 1, a complete renovation in education; 2, the establishment of a new national structure; 3, renovation of the Diet to adapt it to such a structure; 4, a reform of the bureaucracy; 5, laying the foundation of national defence and economy based on the Jap-an-Manchukuo-China bloc with Japan as the centre; 6, renovation of foreign trade; 7, expansion of the heavy, chemical and machine industries. After issuing the formal statement Mr Matsuoka said that Japan would /' ■make positive efforts to gain whatever 5 friends were possible in the prevailing environment, but “she will not make vain efforts to grasp the hands of those countries which cannot be turned into friends. Japan is through with toadyism.” Mr Matsuoka declined to comment on European affairs except to say that Japan at present would adhere to the policy of non-involvement. He explained that there was no change in the China affair, the disposal of which was at present Japan’s most urgent need. However, Japan’s final aim was “the establishment of a stability zone embracing Japan, Manchukuo, China and also French Indo-China, and the Netherlands East Indies. "I am not in a position to say anything more in regard to our foreign policy, because the time is not ripe; but. when the time comes everything will be published plainly," he said. INDEPENDENT FOREIGN POLICY. The Premier, Prince Konoye. in a simultaneous statement said. “The Government will consolidate the national defence and effect a positive revision of its foreign policy on an independent stand, while domestically it intends to establish a powerful political organisation.” He reiterated that complete agreement was reached in the liaison meeting of the Army. Navy and Cabinet, held yesterday.