WAGES IN JAPAN.

Auckland Star, Volume LXIV, Issue 125, 30 May 1933, Page 7

WAGES IN JAPAN.

VERY LOW STANDARD. Range from Sevenpence to Seven Shillings a Day. RATIONALISING PROCEEDS. ("Times" Cables.) LONDON, May 29. The British commercial counsellor's report on economic conditions in Japan shows that the average daily wages, including meals and clothing, are as follow: —Female silk operatives, 9d; male bricklayers, 2/9; moulders, 2/6; carpenters, 2/3; day labourers, 1/6. The highest wage in 1932 was 7/ a day and the highest average 5/. The lowest wage is paid to girl match workers, namely, 7Jd a day. . "The Times" says tariffs would be ineffective against the Japanese because their low prices attract the consumers. The simpior faith of the older generations that Western labour's superiority would counterbalance the lower Eastern wages must be revised. Japanese wages have not advanced.

Unpleasant surprises are anticipated when adjustments are due and stock must be renewed at higher exchange rates. However, the Japanese are progressively rationalising and improving their organisation and technique and reducing costs.

NEW TRADE PROBLEM. Jap. Competition Causes Grave Concern. INDIAN MARKET ASSAILED. (British Official Wireless.) RUGBY, I.iay 20. In the course of a speech at the annual Bombay dinner in London, Sir Samuel Hoarc, Secretary for India, said the problem of Japanese competition was one that in its present magnitude was new in the experience of India and the British Empire. He,did not blame the Japanese competitors for attempting to capture the Indian markets, but it was necessary to consider how best to deal with the competition, which was founded on very cheap labour, very eflicient machinery and highly depreciated exchange.

On this urgent problem action must be taken if the trade of India was not to receive irrevocable injury.

There was also the problem of raising commodity prices. Both problems could be approached far more effectively by British and Indian business men working together, free from the interference of politics.