"A VISIT TO JAPAN." TO THE EDITOR.

Evening Post, Volume LXVIII, Issue 98, 22 October 1904, Page 15

"A VISIT TO JAPAN." TO THE EDITOR.

Sir,— ln your issue of 11th inst. there Appeared a telegram from Brisbane giving the substance of the remarks of a Mr. John Chartress, who is on his way back to New Zealand after paying a visit to Japan, and the following seutence was included therein :—": — " Even now the Japanese Government does not employ foreigners. There is not a single one " (probably all married) " to be found in the service, and all the larger businesses are managed and worked solely by Japanese." Mr. Chartress reminds me of the traveller who, when he made his first visit to France, was so astonished to find even the little gamins in the streets of Boulogne able to Bpeak French. Let us paraphrase the above sentence us follows^ — " Even now the New Zealand Government does not employ foreigners, there is not. a single one (unless Bragato) to be found in the service, and all the larger businesses are managed and worked solely by New Zealtinders." If Mr. Chartress should visit France or Germany, or any other country, he would probably find the same peculiar state of things existing, and the people of those countries generally managing their own affairs without finding it necessary to come to New Zealand tor advice and assistance. Mr. Ohartress is an illustration of that extraordinary mental obliquity which, characteristic of the British people, is so extremely pronounced in this country, where it seems to be supposed that New Zealand leads the world, that the British people own the earth and all that therein is, and there is no balm anywhere except in Gilead. ' Mr. Chartress might have added that the army and navy of Japan are also being managed and worked solely by Japanese.—l am, etc., A. S. ALDRICH. Wellington, 15th October.

Mr. John Corrigan forwards two pamphlets containing chiefly verse of his own jompodtion. The verse varies in quality, evidently being written ,it various periods extending over a number of pears, and covers a wide range of style wd subjects-^ The author states that the vorks submitted were written in his ipare time, which may be taken as evidence that he wields a prolific pen, and that given the opportunity he i ould improve on his present effort. .Some of the sketches are of historical interest, ihd are decidedly interesting. "Are you in favour of clubs for tvoUen?" asked the female with the square chin "Sure," answered the old bnche•orj •clnbs, sandbags, or any old thing."