JAPANESE PEERS

Evening Post, Volume CVI, Issue 48, 25 August 1923, Page 21

JAPANESE PEERS

VISIT TO AUSTRALIA

EXTENDING THE HAND OR

FRIENDSHIP

A party of di6tinguieEed members of the Japanese House of Peers arrived in Sydney on board the steamer Yoshino Maru on 7th August. Headed by Count Yoshii, a director of the Japanese League of Nations Union and an honorary vice-president of the British League of' Nations Union, the delegation will observe the economic and social conditions of.Australia, with the object of promoting good relations between the peoples of the two countries, and encouraging the development of mutually advantageous trade. Members of the party disclaim any aggressive intentions towards Australia on the part of Japan. The only desire, they assert, is to establish friendly feelings between the two nations.

"When interviewed by a representative, of the "Sydney Morning Herald," Count Yoshii said that members of the House of Peers were on a private tour with the object of encouraging friendly relations between the people of Australia and Japan.

"We want to. ascertain the condition of Australia generally," he said, "iv order that we may have better intercourse between the two countries. We should like to'meet people, to know what they think, and to tell, them about Japan in order to prevent misunidertstandings arising in future." '

■ Count Yoshii has long been a worker for international peace, and he emphatically disclaimed aggressive, intentions on the part 01 Japan. "If we had such intentions," he said, "was not the time of the. world war our greatest opportunity? What did Japan do then but assist the Allies whole-heartedly? It is reported that Australia ia afraid of us. That is all a mistake. There is no hostile feeling whatever towards Australia^ in Japan; only a desire to establish good fellowship. That is the real state of things, and I shall be grateful if the Press will do its best to make that clear. . . ..--../■ .....:. INSIDIOUS PROPAGANDA. Count Yoshii'.stated that before the war the Germans carried on a propaganda to antagonise America and Japan —a fact fully disclosed during the war. lie said that the nonsensical and false reports which were now being spread abroad were due to propaganda having as its aim the antagonising of Australia and Japan. "We are faithfully, carrying out the Washington Treaty," he said, "indeed Japanese opinion is in favour of reducing armament* even more than is provided for in the Treaty. J apan would gladly co-operate with other Powers in such a movement. There are atill some outstanding questions, such a s the treatment of our nationals, to be dealt with between Japan and America, but I have no doubt thas ffiey can and will bo settled amicably." . Turning to matters of trade, Count Yoshii emphasised the need. for better commercial relations between Australia and Japan. "We now buy three times SS?° ihan we cx Polt> *■" you," he said. . We buy raw materials—wool, wheat, and other things—and we hope-soon to import fresh meat. The Government has passed a law to assist the cold storage industry, and that should hasten the eatabhahment of trade in meat. lam anxious to ascertain what goods we can send to Australia other than tfiose we supply at present. I wish to go fully into complaints regarding the quality of Japanese goods so that our merchants may be "fully informed with a view to rectifying blunders, and so improving trade." Dr. Joji Sakurai, a member of the House of Peers, aJso leader of a party of scientists who travelled on the Yoshino Mam, to attend the forthcoming PanPacific Congress, said in an interview that the purpose of the visit of the Parliamentary group was not merely to observe' conditions in Australia, but also to encourage trade between the two countries, and to promote a spirit of goodwill and friendly feelings between Australian and; Japanese peoples. "Our. object also," he added, "is.to remove any misunderstandings, if such exist, on either side. There may be some misunderstanding—an idea that Japan has ambitions in respect to Australia.' If there is such a misunderstanding, it is simply ridiculous." ">'•■■■' Dr. Sakuroi smiled, is if to emphasise how fatuous such an idea was.

"We have no idea of invading Australia," he reiterated. "It is simply ridiculous." Again Dr. Sakurai smiled at the foolishness of any such idea. "We are," he continued, "the best of friends with Australia. All we seek is co-opera-tion—commercially and intellectually." Dr. Sakurai gave it as his opinion that it, was quite right for England to have a tasa at Singapore. He added, speaking of the delegation now in Sydney, that was the largest that Japan had sent to any country. "This," he observed, "is an indication of our friendly feelings towards Australia." ■'■"'.. '

PERSONNEL OF THE PARTY. The party.-comprises five peers. Eldest son., of ..Count T. Yoshii; 'a notable statesmen of the, Meiji era, Count iK. Yoshii is-a conspicuous figure in the national life of his country. He is.a vicepresident of the League of Nations Union in England,. one of" the directors of the Japanese League of Nations, president of the Imperial . Fisheries! Association, which has for its object the promotion and development.of one of the, largest »nd most important industries in' Japan; and president of the Shipwreck Belief Society of Japan... He holds other important offices as well. This is Count Yoshii's second visit to Australia. As a naval cadet on a training ship he visited Sydney, Melbourne, and Hobart 43 years ago, a visit of which he has very pleasant recollections. "You were so hospitable and kind," he said, "that I have never forgotten it in all those years, and I am glad to see-you again. Australia is now a nation, and she and Japan must maintain good relations."

Viscount T. Nishio, a graduate of Tokio University,' is specially interested in the breeding-of horses. Baron D. Obata, a graduate of the Keio University, is sub-manager of the 15th Bank, and has played no Email part in promoting industry in Japan. Dr. E. Kanasugi is a medical practitioner. He was recently * promoted to tho House of Peers, being formerly a member of the House of Representatives. Dr. Joji Sakurai is one of the moat distinguished nprares in Japan. He holds the degrees of D.Sc, und LL.D. He is emeritus professor of chemistry, and occupies, nmon.c? other important posts tho position of Vice-President of the Nationol Research Council of Japan, an extremely select body limited in its membership to 100.

Accompanying the party is' Mr. Naruee, a secretary of the House of Peers.