BUSY JAPAN

Evening Post, Volume CXVIII, Issue 20, 24 July 1934, Page 10

BUSY JAPAN

LAND OF FACTORIES

ATTITUDE ON TRADE

SELF-IMPOSED QUOTA

An insight into the Japanese attitude on the question of her export trade was gained by Mr. E. H. de J. Clere, a Wellington architect, who returned today by the Marama from Sydney after an absence of fourteen mouths, during which he visited the Far Eastern countries with Mrs. Clere, Mrs. R. L. Macalister, and Miss H. Gunn,' of Christchurch. In an interview with a "Post" reporter, Mr. Clere said that the feeling among the leaders of Japanese industry appeared to be that they must impose their own export quotas on certain products. With L\ih. an' enormous and rapidly-growing population, and the general antipathy towards emigration, the Japanese economists seemed to think that the people should not concentrate on the production of certain main lines such as textiles, but should give more attention to diversification of the country's industries, otherwise if the time came when there was absolute prohibiton of imports from Japan or other countries were able, to compete, Japan would bo very hard hit. Exporters in Japan felt it.was a pity that there should be a belief in so many countries, that Japan could produce only inferior articles, said Mr. Clere. Ho himself had seen sonic marvellous, things, such .as porcelain and other articles, showing the highest art and skill in their manufacture, but exporters knew that purchasers abroad expected cheap articles from .Tacan and accordingly they supplied them. UP-TO-DATE FACTORIES. .Mr. Clere said he considered that everybody who could afford to visit Japan should do so for the sake of the education to-be derived on many subjects regarding which there were at present misconceptions in other countries. From information he had gathered, tlfere was little or no "sweating" in Japanese industry. The factories appeared to be constructed on the most up-to-date lines, and were managed very efficiently. AVages were sufficiently high to provide a standard of living much better than the Japanese workers had been accustomed to previously, although the standard, relatively speaking, was not as high as, say, in New Zealand. It was interesting to learn that Japanese!factories were laid out on a definite plan which provided; for one-third of the land to be used for the actual factory, another third for buildings in which to house and feed the workers, and the remaining third for recreational space. In these circumstances the workers appeared to be exceedingly happy and well fed, and to be able to save a certain proportion of their wages.Wherever the traveller went in Japan he saw little but factory chimneys and buildings, railwaj's, electric trains, and power lines, Mr. Clere continued. The impression given throughout the length and breadth of the country was one of intense industrial development, and he learnt-that huge orders were being fulfilled for delivery in the United States. •-.,■ ■-...- ■ ~ ' ■ TOKIO'S ARCHITECTURE. To an architect, Tokio was particularly interesting, since it had been practically rebuilt after the earthquake in 1923. As in all the main Japanese cities, the hotels were magnificent, and every encouragement was . given to tourists, who. were treated with the utmost courtesy. The department stores were as much as twelve or fifteen storeys high, and at night they were so brightly illuminated that it seemed like daytime. On three days in each month', the Bth, 18th, and 28th, the employees had a whole holiday, and the smaller shops were open every day until late at night. Mr. Clere found much of interest in the Dutch Bast Indies and was particularly attracted by the. palatial hotels. Trade, however, appeared to be slack, he said, and during a long motor'tour he did not see a single sugar or rubber factory in operation. The explanation. given was that half of them were closed down. The" absence of flies in Java was a remarkable experience and one that proved a pleasant surprise.. One of the effects of the depression was the closing down of many of the hotels and clubs formerly used by the European population, and.Mr. Clere said that he and his companions had travelled by car for twelve hours at a stretch on one occasion without finding a place where food was obtainable. The main roads in Java were all constructed of asphalt and provided, magnificent motoring. Other places, visited by Mr. Clere and his party included the beautiful and picturesque island of Bali, Hong Kong, Canton, Singapore, and Manila. In all, the New Zealauders travelled on nine ships and motored considerable distances, including 700 miles in Java.