CHANGING NATION

Evening Post, Volume CVI, Issue 5, 6 July 1928, Page 10

CHANGING NATION

JAPAN OF TO-DAY .PACIFIC RELATIONS (By Telegraph.) (Special to "The Evening Post.") DUNEDIN, This Day. Dr. J. M. Dixon, professor of comparative literature in the University of Southern California, arrived in Dunedin on Wednesday night, to spend a few weeks with his brother, Dr. Gray Dixon, of St. Leonard's. Professor Dixon was for a long period professor of English literature in tho Imperial University of Japan, arid subsequently took up the position in Los Angeles which ho holds to-day. Having lived on both coasts of the Pacific, and being a keen student of world affairs,. Professor Dixon has closely . watched all questions relating to the Pacific Ocean and the place it 'takes in the politics of more than one great, nation. Interviewed yesterday, Professor Dixon said ho was convinced that in the event of a disagreement Japan would be iriendly with Britain and the United States in the final issue. He was aware,that in .California the Japanese were treated as Dagos. This was regrettable. The Japanese had a national sentiment and resented this treatment. "Japan is developing its commercial interests," said Professor Djxdn. "The people began their modern life with no knowledge whatever of banking, but what a change to-day. They have far outclassed the Chinese in this respect, and their thorough system - has been a great support to them in their naval enterprise. Economic conditions were also changing. The weakness in Japan had been the over-power of. authority, so that the workers were quit© at the mercy of capital. Tho power of capital had been as much abused in Japan as in other countries, while the slums of foreign lands were- duplicated. The change had to come. The people are now beginning to assert themselves, and the voting power is in their hands. Customs are also changing. There is respect for the Emperor, but not the reveronce of former days. In a procession to-day the Emperor does not walk thirteen paces ahead of the Empress. The Empress is with him, leaning on his arm, and the people are not afraid to look at the Emperor as he passes by. As a matter of fact, His Highness has adopted many of the manners of the King of England and the Prince of Wales,' and comes into closer contact with the people."