JAPANESE COMPETITION.

Auckland Star, Volume LXIV, Issue 134, 9 June 1933, Page 6

JAPANESE COMPETITION.

Your correspondent Mr. Simmons is due for another think. One wonders at his statement re Indian conditions. It is some time since the writer was there. One thing is certain—working hours of 12 to 16 per day as in Japan are not now permitted in Indian mills, except probably a few native owned, which have no affect on outside supplies. The main cause, apart from wages and hours worked, is that the Jap. is patriotic and a much steadier worker than the' Indian. The Japanese, like his Chinese brother, will work 14 hours per day, seven days in the week, and make no fuss over it. These are the only two races on earth who will do so. The reference to Onakaka iron I ani not in a positiort to discuss, but why not import a few Indiana and work that industry? Let Mr. Simmons do so if he can and see what happens. You may recall a speech made some years ago by a gentleman well known in Labour circles that Labour would not object to some 200 Indians per annum being allowed to enter the Dominion. Things, were booming then. Sad this eventuated something like 3000 extra Indians would have now been in New Zealand. .It is not so very long ago a King Country farmer told the writer that Indians demanded, and in some instances were paid, 15/ per day for work that New Zealanders would not look at. Tbi? is what would happen at Onakaka, unless stringent agreements were entered into, and these the Indian Government' would most assured]} T have something to say about. One reason why our unemployment figures so high is that many New Zealanders demand high wages and short working hours, yet will not purciiase the goods made under these conditions if they cr.n buy Japanese at a lower price, even if quality be—and usually it isvery much inferior. BRITISH FIRST, NOT JAPANESE.