THE PACIFIC A NEW HOPE

Dominion, Volume 19, Issue 157, 30 March 1926, Page 6

THE PACIFIC A NEW HOPE

JAPAN TO NEW ZEALAND EXCHANGE OF COURTESIES On the occasion of his first visit to New Zealand, the Consul-General of Japan at Sydney, Mr. lyemasa Tokugawa, called on the Prime Minister (Right Hon. J. G. Coates), and personally delivered the following message from the Prime Minister of Japan:— “The visit to New Zealand of Mr. lyemasa Tokugawa, Consul-General of Japan at Sydney, furnishes to Mr. Reijiro Wakatsuki, Prime Minister of Japan, an opportunity of which he desires to take advantage to recall the heroic days when the forces of New Zealand and Japan were arrayed together to secure peace and justice as the only guarantee of tlie safe and harmonious development of civilisation. Peace and justice have been attained, and it is Air. Wakatsuki’s firm conviction, strengthened by the recent progress of events, that New Zealand and Japan will now co-operate with all their might in the free atmosphere thus created, to further the welfare and progress of mankind by the encouragement of sound business, the increase of trade and commerce, the promotion of mutual knowledge and individual good relations, and bv every other means ■calculated to improve the condition of humanity. N“w Zealand has alwavs -been noted for her enterprise in dealing with the problems presented by modern commerce. Janan has much to •v-ln from more frequent and famiFar intercourse with her, and she modestly hones that thf gain mav be reciprocal.

“The old jealous diplomacy is decaved and disapnearing. It is an outworn relic of tribal barbarism. Modern statesmanship realises that the nations of the earth are one family, and that each finds its truest advantage in the prosperity of all. 'Reiving on tilts, we mav fearlessly face the future, and make the Pacific a region of new hope f or the much-tried world.”

Prime Minister’s Reply. The following is a copy of the reply sent by the Prime Minister of New Zealand, through the Secretary of State, for Foreign Affairs, to the Prime Minister of Japan:— “New Zealand Government has received with much gratification your message which has been personally delivered bv Mr. lyemasa Tokugawa, Con-sul-General ’ at’ Sydney. Ministers greatlv appreciate the cordial and friendly sentiments to which expression is therein given. New Zealand will ever remember with gratitude the assistance of the Japanese Navy in the transport of her military forces, in the early stages of the Great War and her alliance with the British nation throughout the. whole of those anxious years. New Zealand will be glad, to co-operate with ' Japan in everything that makes for the uplift of humanity and for the maintenance of most friendly relations between our two countries.

“If the nations whose shores border on the Pacific Ocean are animated by similar feelings there is no reason to fear for the future peace and prosperity of their citizens.”