JAPAN’S WISH

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 55, Issue 231, 13 July 1935, Page 8

JAPAN’S WISH

GOOD-WILL MISSION. DUE HERE NEXT MONTH. Additional details of the proposed Japanese good-will mission to Australia and New Zealand, reference to which was made in cabled news yesterday, are supplied by Mr Ken Sato, assisting managing editor of the “Osake Mainichi,” when he was in Wellington as the Japanese people’s good-will representative. The mission, which is to be headed by Mr Katsuji Debuchi, one of the leading Japanese diplomats, is to leave Japan on Monday, and is due at Sydney on August 14. The mission is due in Wellington on August 20, and will stay here for about ten days. “The Japanese Government is sending the mission to New Zealand and Australia because of the high .value it places upon the friendly relations of the nations of the Pacific,” Mr Sato said. “The volume of Japan’s trade with these two countries is steadily increasing. While the Japanese buy from time to time huge quantities of their wool, wheat, and other primary products, Australia and New Zealand buy in return large quantities of Japan’s manufactures. This is highly valued by Japan, especially in view of the growing importance of the Pacific as a trade centre.

“Ambassador Debuchi will probably be able to meet the Prime Minister, who should he back from London by that time. Parliament also will have opened, so I suppose he will he able to meet quite a number of the national representatives and establish cordial understanding with them. “The mission is a very friendly gesture on the part of Japan, and I think it will bo heartily welcomed. We are at the present time organising Australian and New Zealand products exhibitions in leading cities in Japan, and also publishing an AustralianNew Zealand! Japan good-will volume to promote the best relations. The New Zealand Government has promised every assistance toward 1 the success of such an international enterprise. My Government will be delighted if New Zealand should, follow the present example of Australia and establish a Trade Commissioner in Japan and also send a good-will mission there on the lines of the chambers of commerce mission noiV being arranged in Australia.”