JAPAN'S ACTION

Evening Post, Volume CXXIV, Issue 135, 4 December 1937, Page 11

JAPAN'S ACTION

WESTERN PROTESTS

(To the Editor.)

Sir,—lt is not only Western peoples who at this time are distressed by the action of Japan's military party: many of the Japanese people, though unable yet to give political effect to their convictions, are strongly opposed to this action. ' These would welcome something stronger than the protests which have been made —as you will see by this quotation from a Japanese letter sent originally to Shanghai: "If you Western people would only be more positive in your disapproval, it would help us. When we point to flic universal condemnation of Japan, our military tell us that you do not really disI approve, .that yours are only pious phrases, that underneath you understand and approve."

It is perhaps not irrelevant to add a sentence spoken by a young Chinese man at present visiting New Zealand on business. He said that.China must win because her leaders worshipped God. This statement, expresses a truth — which, in view of the Japanese statement in your Tuesday's issue, I trust that, someone of high authority in the Church may express moire fittingly.—l am, etc., ,

A. M. D. DINNEEN

(To the Editor.) Sir,—The Hon. P. Fraser has made a very earnest appeal for contributions towards funds for the relief of victims in China—a very worthy object. On the other hand Mr. F. W. Mackie is reported as follows regarding conditions in Japan: "Business has suffered severe curtailment—strict watch is kept on financial deals, arid money is not allowed to leave the country. The embargo on British imports is also serious, ar.d is a direct result of the Eastern conflict."

Would it not be better if, as well as helping the distressed Chinese, our Government adopted Japan's methods as quoted by Mr. Mackie. This would check acquisition of foreign credits as far as New Zealand was' concerned — and-would do more good than.a Government contribution of £1000 to the Far East Relief Fund, as in addition to curbing the use of credit for the purchase of war materials, it would be beneficial in diverting trade to the United Kingdom, to whom we look to buy the bulk of our produce.—l am, etc., . . JUDY.

Two second offenders fqr drunkenness, John Davies and William Baden Powell Ayres, were fined £2, in default seven days' imprisonment, by Mr. G. Petherick at the Mount Cook Police Court yesterday.

A remand until next Friday was granted' in the case of Patrick George Kubler, a grocer's assistant, aged 22, who appeared .before Mr. J. E. L. Hewitt, S.M., in the Magistrate's Court today, facing two charges of wilful and obscene exposure. Bail was allowed in the sum of £100, with surety for that amount. ' .