JAPAN'S YOKE.

Auckland Star, Volume LXXI, Issue 296, 13 December 1940, Page 6

JAPAN'S YOKE.

IN FRIENDLY KOREA.

GREAT AGRICULTURISTS.

"Sixty years ago Korea was a closed kingdom and to-day it suffering from growing pains," said Major W. H. Smith, of the Salvation Army, who has spent nearly 15 years in that country and to-day has been appointed to the Auckland district. The major went on to •ay that the transition from "rush light" to "electric lamp"' conditions ha 3 been altogether too rapid for the Korean people.

It must not be thought that the Salvation Army in Japan has been stopped, he said. It had been Japanised and cut adrift from th 9 Weatern world. There was now an atmosphere of antagonism to foreigners in general, not directly against the British. The major Mid he had jmst received a letter from Korea indicating that action to Japanise the Salvation Army would probably be taken in Korea. The Salvation Army had made great progress in this ancient land. There were over 200 officers, of whom only 12 were Europeans.

"Korea has made great advances since it had come under tl.e Japanese Empire." continued the speaker. Tt is a great country of small farms, and the jieople are keen agriculturists, growing a great deal of rice in the valleys, where they can get water easily, and barley on the hillsides. There are very few cows and practically no sheep. I had no mutton for years until I came to New Zealand. They are now trying some X"ew Zealand sheep on hill country, but there is very little pasture and the experiment is not meeting with much success. The soya bean is also largely grown and they are now making milk for babies from the bean." Reminder! of New Zealand.

As far as transport was concerned, he said the main railway' service from the port of Fusan through to Manchuria was of a high standard, rather better than in Japan itself. The gauge was broad and travelling was very comfortable. but off the main line travel was primitive, and the roads are rough. The main line train compared very favourably with the New Zealand Limited express.

The scenery in Korea was wonderful, with bush-clad mountains and deep ravines', very much like the King Country. The people were quiet and studious, and certainly most likeable. Life in Korea had been at a high tension since the Jap-China war, while living cost* had gone up by over 125 per cent. Referring to politics, the major said that the Salvation Army had never taken any part; their mission was quite different, but he did not think an alliance between Russia and Japan was possible. There were too many delicate problems in the way. He added also that he did not think the Chinese would ever be beaten. The Japanese might take a little of the coast and control a puppet Government, but that would be all. The Chinese would absorb the newcomers.

Major Smith was born in London and was apprenticed to the printing trade a* a boy. Since then he has spent 40 ypars an officer of the Salvation Army. He is accompanied by Mrs. Smith and familv.