JAPAN'S TRADE IN AFRICA

Press, Volume LXXI, Issue 21534, 25 July 1935, Page 13

JAPAN'S TRADE IN AFRICA

REACTION OF ITALY DISCUSSED

MR E. C. CARTER'S COMMENT

[THE PP.ES3 Special Service.]

AUCKLAND, July 24

"It is quite clear that Mussolini, in addition to other influences, is concerned with the success of Japanese trade in Africa," said Mr Edward C. Carter, SecretaryGeneral of the Institute of Pacific Relations, who is visiting Auckland. "Mussolini is probably unnecessarily alarmed about Japan's designs in Abyssinia; but he cannot have left unnoticed the extraordinary growth in Japan's trade with Egypt, where in the textile field Japan has dealt such body-blows to Lancashire," Mr Carter said. "There has been,talk of a union between members of Abyssinian and Japanese royal families; but I think this has been exploded as mere gossip. It is true that in order to raise her standard of living and to provide for her swollen military and naval expenditure Japan must continue to find ever-fresh markets in every part of the world. This need is accentuated by American tariffs, restrictions in several British countries, and by embargoes or quotas in various parts of the world.

"If therefore yet another door, that of Abyssinia, is closed to Japanese trade, Japan's manufacturers will feel an added grievance. In spite of the innumerable barriers to Japanese trade, it has shown an almost unbelievable increase in the last three years. It is time that the peoples of the Occident stopped talking about "sweat-shop" conditions in Japan, and studied the real reasons for Japan's industrial success. The secret of this docs not lie primarily in low wages; but in efficient industrial management, 5 large-scale production, modern mat chinery, shrewdness in purchasing ; raw materials, and clever marketing." | Japan's Organisation Mr Carte» said the Japanese had - j a world-wide organisation to study 1 1 tastes of consumers, and as a -1 result the manufacturers were quick .I to respond to popular demand. Industrial trouble was avo.ded, as I loyalty to an employer was regarded j as a patriotic duty, and there was f j also such magnificent Government ; j support that nearly all the indus- >! try of the country was being cle- (| ve'oped on a national basis. "Cuti throat" competition between fac- ■ j tories did not exist to nearly the : j same extent as it did in some Euro- . j pean countries. In his opinion, with 1 Mussolini determined to enforce I Italy's right to expand, it was impossible to predict what action any other country would take, Mr Carter concluded. It seemed that the only thing that would stop Mussolini was (he armed force of Great Britain and j France; but neither country appeared prepared at the moment to use either economic or military piessure to thwart Italy's imperialistic ambition. JAPAN RUSHES ARMS TO ABYSSINIA FRENCH PORT USED (Received July 24, 11.20 p.m.) GENEVA, July 23. Japanese agents are rushing quantities of arms and ammunition to Djibouti (French Somaliland), realising that treaty arrangements with France guarantee freedom of traffic. ITALIAN ANGER WITH JAPANESE DEMONSTRATION IN SEVERAL CITIES LONDON, July 23. Anti-Japanese demonstrations

broke out at Milan, Genoa, Turin and Bologna; The Italian newspaper "Messagero" says: "The Japanese mentality alone is comparable to the Abyssinian for hypocrisy and bad faith. Japan is the enemy of Europe, America, and the white race." The Italian attitude is resented in Japan, but Tokyo refuses to comment. ITALIAN WARNING TO BRITAIN (Received July 24, 11.20 p.m.) ROME, July 23. Senor Virginio Gayda, the noted publicist, declares that if England permits export of arms to Abyssinia, Italy v/ill remember it as an act of hostility. SUSPENSION OF GOLD COVER DEVALUATION NOT IMPLIED LIRA RALLIES AFTER EARLY FALL (Received July 24, 10.50 p.m.) LONDON, July 24. ' The Rome correspondent of "The Times" says experts declare that the suspension of gold coverage of the note issue does not imply devaluation. The Government intends to reconstitute its gold reserves at tho earliest possible time, and will meet aK engagements. ' The lira, which depreciated in London from 5!) 15-16 to 65h on the news of the Italian Government's decree suspending the gold cover, later rallied and closed at CI 11-16. ADVICE TO BRITISH MISSIONARIES LONDON, July 23. Missionary societies in London have been warned by the Govern■jment'that British missionaries who are scattered in the very remote

districts of Abyssinia should be advised to concentrate in the neighbourhood of Addis Ababa. The missionaries, with their wives and families, number fewer than 100, and if they desire that their wives and families should leave the country, suitable arrangements will be made for their departure.