THE DEVELOPMENT OF WESTERN IDEAS IN JAPAN.

Bay of Plenty Times, Volume XXIV, Issue 3835, 17 April 1899, Page 2

THE DEVELOPMENT OF WESTERN IDEAS IN JAPAN.

On and after the first day of July alHoreign residents in Japan will, by a new treaty (to come into operation on that date), be directly under the control of the native judicial authority. Heretofore, foreigners have been subject to. the jurisdiction of their respective consuls, and considerable interest will at first be taken in- the working of the new Act. It is to be hoped that the judicial sj-stem is to be run more in accordance with British rather than the French method. Japan, since the war, has been going in heavily for pro tection, and duties ranging from 30 to 60 per ceut have been imposed on various imported articles. Oa July Ist neyt a tax of 10 sen per register ton will be imposed on all shipping frequenting their ports. The silver coinage has beoh withdrawn from circulation, end a g« Id standard been adopted. Much of the increased revenue is being spent on army derolonment, this branch of the defenco forces not being up to the navy standard. Lord Charlea Boresford, who has been touring the East in the interests of th» British Chamber of Commerce, was entertained at a dinner, given in Yokohama by the British communities of that city andTokio, just previous to his departure for Ainprfea j>er ?he America Maru, and met with an enthusiastic reception.