JAPANESE VISITOR.

Press, Volume LXI, Issue 18488, 16 September 1925, Page 5

JAPANESE VISITOR.

STUDY OF INFANT WELFARE. On a mission from the Japaneso Homo Office to study sociological problems in Australia and Xcv Zealand, Professor Tjikayuki Naruae, who is atcached to several universities in Japan, arrived in C'hristchurch from Wellington yesterday morning. In tho course of an interview yesterday afternoon, Professor Naouac "stated that he had been chiefly interested, since l;j. s arrival in tho Dominion, in the study of child welfare. Infant mortality in Japan, ho explained, was high as compared with that in Now Zealand, and he had come to Icaru of tho system which was being lised throughout the Dominion. In Japan it was true that they had baby hospitals and had adonted the svsteni some years ago used in the United State*, out lie considered that the Plunket system of Xew Zealand was very advanced as compared with that of other countries. To Teacli Japanese Mothers. Japanese women, he considered, wett trie ideal mothers and gave to'their bahies all tho attention possible, but still the infant death rate remained high, and it was to bo able to teach the mothers of the Japanese nation how babies should be nursed scientifically that bo had been sent out here. Japan wanted healthy, sturdy babies in tho future. He attributed the high infant mortality rate of his nation to tlie ignorance of the people in the scientific care ci babies, the density of population, poor housing, low wages of the workers, and the long hours which thev were forced to work. Professor Namae stated' .-Iso that he had carried out investigations into tho education, arbitration and prison systems of New Zealand. Speaking of the last-mentioned, ho stated that Japan had a probation system similar to that operating hero and also an institute which was practically the same as our Borstal Institute. The Japanese -were also well advanced in educational matters. For Better Understanding. Speaking of his visit, he said ho had been greatly impressed with the kindness which he had received at the liajids of the people of New Zealand. Tho facts a.nd statistics which he had gathered while lie was here he/might forget, but ho would never fail to remember tho kindness which had been shown him. He would report to his Government on the matters which were included in his mission, and he would. 1 toll his own people of the generous and courteous treatment which he had received. He felt as if ho were at. home when he was in New ZeaJfcnd. He urged that reciprocal visits between Japan and New Zealand should be made by citizens of both countries, especially t(niversity teachers. This would tend to build tvrj a mutual understanding between the two peoples and would bring them into closer contact with each other. • During his stay in Christcburch yesterday, Professor Namae visited 'the Karitane Hospital, the Sanatorium and Children's Fresh-Air Home at Cashmere, and also the Training College hostel at Opawa. He will remain in Cliristchurch to-day and will for Dunedin to-morrow. Professor Namae expects to leave New Zealand for Australia and Japan on September 25th.