Greymouth Evening Star. AND BRUNNERTON ADVOCATE. SATURDAY, MAY 12th., 1934. JAPANESE TRADE.

Greymouth Evening Star, 12 May 1934, Page 6

Greymouth Evening Star. AND BRUNNERTON ADVOCATE. SATURDAY, MAY 12th., 1934. JAPANESE TRADE.

DIUTAIN’S decision, to introduce quotas for Japanese goods in Crown colonies and protectorates was a serious matter, and. none can foretell what will he the ultimate effeel. Japanese authorities profess that it will make little difference to their national commercial enterprise, but the Japanese never were wanting for bluff. The comment is bettei' founded that the British action will not make for friendly relations between the two Powers, and this is understandable. The Japanese have long resented the Overseas immigration restrictions, and ifi now similar exclusion is made of Asiatic manufactures, commercial retaliation, at least, may be expected. At an opportune time, Japanese resentment may take a more active shape, and this possibility must never be overlooked by Empire lands.

So far there has been little enthusiasm on the part of the chief Overseas lands for the new British quota decree. Canada promptly denied that she had been consulted in the matter, Australia is very (toy. seeing she now has a “goodwill mission” visiting Tokio, South Africa is sure to need convincing, and New Zealand is awaiting the presentat ion of the Tariff Commission’s report to Parliament before she makes any decision. It does not seem possible, however, for any country threatened by Japanese trade competition to remain calm and indifferent. If it were only a few commodities that Japan could sell much below the price asked for similar goods made by the importing countries, it would be easier to leave such markets to the Japanese, hut so wide a range of articles are now supplied by the Japanese, at very low cost, that to let such commerce go by default, would prove disastrous. Optimists deckin' that depreciation of the yen has been the chief factor enabling Japan to sell so cheaply, but that is one reason only. Iler industrial codes, conditions of employment, and rate of wages, if suitable for

Japanese requirements, are inferior to the standards maintained in Empire lands, and unless some method of reducing the latter’s costs of production are found, the Japanese will always have a tremendous advantage. .It is claimed that the Japanese

goods ;tre of inferior quality, hut, iippareiilly, they meet a. special, demand everywhere they are sent. After all, it is the consumers who ar<- mainly responsible for tin' .fapiinese success, because if these buyers did not purchase .Japanese goods, these would not be sent to the country concerned. The low jirices of the .Japanese products appear to many to compensate for the inferior quality, and, certainly, some of the goods sold for trifling 'sums appear great value for the 'money, compared witli what is asked for home manufactures. /I'hcse “bargains” from Japan will prove very dear, however, if the support given to them brings about a great lowering of industrial conditions in British countries, unemployment, poverty at home, and an enrichment of a pos-

sible enemy, abroad. These aspects should not be forgotten by those who claim to be patriots, loyal to national ideals.

Japan should not be blamed for seeking supremacy in world markets, nor can she be expected to limit her competition to suit her trading rivals’ wishes, unless she is compensated in some other direction. It is essential, for her to get all the wealth from abroad she can, because her own finances are subjected to a severe strain through her expenditure on what is termed militarism. She cannot afford to go 'slow in trading, unless her ambitious policy is curtailed. There is little sign of that, meanwhile. Altogether, the Japanese problem must be causing great anxiety to the statesmen of other lands, but there is no need for panic or despair. Facing the facts, and taking effective measures to overcome what is becoming a real menace is a clear duty. Much can be learned from the Japanese, whose efficiency and modern methods need not be questioned, but Britain, for instance, has met and overcome keen competition and difficulties before in her trading history, and there is no reason to believe that she and her Empire partners have now lost their one-time strength, and commercial acumen. Preference of patronage of purchase to Empiremade goods is the most effective way to defeat foreign rivalry, and in this, all can do their share.