TRADE WITH JAPAN

Evening Star, Issue 11683, 15 February 1902, Page 1

TRADE WITH JAPAN

Mb Charles T. Hobbs, a gentleman «rf long and varied commercial experience, woo has for several years conducted the Eastern business of a leading Australian firm, has just returned to Melbourne from a trip to japan and China, undertaken with the purpose cf expanding that trade. On being interviewed, in passing through Sydney on his way home by a representative of iho Press, he had nothing but pleasant things to say of the Japanese, of their country, and of the possibilities of commercial relations between tbe peoples of Japan and Australia. He. however, expressed apprehension as to tbe effect of the Aliens’ Restriction Act, passed by tbe Common weal r’a Parliament, when it comes to be understood. All through the East this legislation is certain to arouse feelings of intense indignation, and the results may be of a very serious character. Mr Hobbs spoke most emphatically as to the progress of German commerce in this part of the world. Ihe Germans, be declares. are ousting tire British in trade. Tbe progress they have made is remarkable. There can be gw qnesfci-m that they work cheaper, their expenses are less, and they adapt themselves more to the requirements of their customers. It seemed to him that the Britisher will not take tke trouble to inquire into the wants and peculiarities. of possible traders. The Britisher has had command of the field so long, and has almost been able to do as he liked, that now lie is slow to realise that an active, intelligent, and patient as well as determined competitor has appeared on the scene. Mr Hobbs did not know whether it was really indifference or want of cajiadty to grasp the potentialities of trade which accounted for the business apathy undoubtedly existing among British merchants in the East. Unless there is a speedy revolution, he expresses the conviction that England will suffer in competition with an active and vigorous rival Mr Hobbs stated that during his visit to Japan and China he had gone to British merchants, and, submitting samples, had asked them for tbe landed prices of these goods in Australia. In each case be was informed that they could not t give them, and that they did not know the^charges—i.e., freight, etc. But when he went to a German or other foreign firm, especially the German, the price was given at. once and without any difficulty, thus showing that they had carefully studied the trade. In another instance he went to a British firm in Japan, and, showing them a sample

of a given article, asked whether they could get it for him. The reply was “No; it was made in China.” Whereupon be weak to one of the native firms and inquired of them. The answer was in the affirmative, and in three days he was introduced to the manufacturer and got the business. “So far as my observation went, the “ same thing obtained aQ. through—the Bri“tdsb, for some reason or other, would not “take the trouble.” At present trade in China and Japan was rather qniet—there was a lack of firmness in prices owing to the want of capital in Japan; but he thought before long the whole thing would settle down and trade would revive. The old pices that used to be got from Japan, however, were gone for ever. There was some doubt on tbe part of Europeans as t * the “ smartness ” of tbe,Japanese merchant, and he bad endeavored to impress on ail those he met the importance of strict probity in all their dealings, for their own sake as well as that of their country. “ But perhaps tbe Japanese were only paying off old scores.” He had a very high opinion of them, and believed that they would yet distinguish themselves in commerce, as they had done in other directions. The educated classes in Japan are doing all they can to improve their less fortunate feUow-countrynsen in this as in other respects, and “as every Japanese appears “to h»/e but one -object in life—the welfare and progress of his beloved country—“the lessons now being taught should bear “fruit in tbe not distant fnture.” It is wonderful, Mr Hobbs proceeded to say, how the Japanese have Europeanised themselves. They have now a great leaning for England and her colonies, and are doing all they can to cement tbe bonds of friendship by trade and otherwise. He fears, however, that the Commonwealth Immigration Restriction Act will raise a dangerous feeling of resentment. The Germans already have a strong hold in the country, and will take advantage of this sentiment to secure its trade.