JAPAN’S GOODWILL

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 55, Issue 231, 13 July 1935, Page 5

JAPAN’S GOODWILL

MISSION TO DOMINION. TO COUNTERACT RUMOURS. (United Press Association —Copyright) (Received. This Day, 9.10 a.m.) TOKIO, July 12. Speaking at a banquet at which Mr Katsuji Debuchi, who is to lead a goodwill mission to Australia and New Zealand, was the guest of honour, Mr K. Hirota (Foreign Minister) said: “Occasionally unfounded and mischievous rumours are spread abroad making people doubt Japan’s peaceful intentions. “Because of this, I understand, some Australians and New Zealanders entertain baseless suspicions regarding Japan’s policy. The' truth is that Japan, as the stabilising force in the Orient, has no other desire than to ensure permanent peace in the Pacific. I wish the Ambassador to impress this aspiration on the peoples he is going to visit.”

NEW ZEALAND FIRST. (Received This Day, 10.30 p.m.) CANBERRA, This Day. The Japanese goodwill mission, headed by Mr Debuchi, will first visit New Zealand. Mr (Debuchi will arrive with a staff of six at Sydney on August 15, and a few hours later will proceed to New Zealand. He will return to Sydney on September 1, when he will he received by the Governor-General. Later, he will be the guest of the Government, which is making elaborate arrangements for his visit to Canberra, Sydney, and Melbourne. Mr Debucho will remain here about two weeks.