JAPAN'S EXPOSITION

Evening Post, Volume CXXV, Issue 122, 26 May 1938, Page 10

JAPAN'S EXPOSITION

INVITATION TO N.Z.

COMMISSIONERS' VISIT

With the object of interesting the New Zealand authorities in the International Exposition of Japan; which is to be held at Tokio and Yokohama from March to August, '1940, two commissioners of the exposition, Messrs. H. Yamawaki and H. Kawaguchi, accompanied by their secretary, Mr. I.

Kaifu, arrived from Sydney by the Awatea today. They have already , completed a similar mission in Australia, and after spending about a week in the Dominion will return to Australia, en route .for Java, Sumatra, Borneo, the Philippines, -Siam, and India. In an "interview Mr. Yamawaki said that th«y had come officially to invite the New Zealand Government to participate in the exposition, which would celebrate the 2600 th anniversary of the enthronement of Japan's first emperor, Jimmu. »It was to be a great international restivai and Japan was anxious that New Zealand should be represented, with the end in view that mutual trade and good will would be fostered. Japan wanted New Zealand's wool and in return could supply many of the Dominion's needs. All the principal countries of the world had been invited to take part in the exposition, said Mr. Yamawaki. On being reminded that the New Zealand Centennial Exhibition would also be held in 1940 he gave an assurance that Japan would render any assistance and co-operation that might be asked of her. He would discuss the matter with the Consul-General for Japan in New Zealand (Mr. K. Gunji) and would also represent the position to his Government on his return to Japan. Mr. Yamawaki was reticent concerning the progress of the conflict in China. Beyond remarking that he thought it would end soon, he confined himself to the object of the mission to New Zealand.

The party will pay courtesy calls on the Prime Minister (the Rt. Hon. M. J. Savage) and members of Cabinet this afternoon and tomorrow. They will visit Auckland before leaving for Sydney.