JAPAN AND EMIGRATION.

Grey River Argus, 4 February 1910, Page 4

JAPAN AND EMIGRATION.

■- ♦ .- Adc'lressing the members of the Japancs.3 Commercial" Mission now touring America, j)rior to their departure IV »m Tokio,' Count Komura, tne Foreitrn Minister made f somo important remarks on Japanese emigration,. He said:— "Prior to the war with Rjissia, the Japanese Government encouraged the emigration of its subjects to foreign countries. But as the consequence, of the great conflict Japan has eraerued'.froni tho position of an insular nation* and- has become a continental Power. This change,, which has opened to our people a wider sphere of activity and achievement within their OAvn precincts, has necessitated a radical .alteration in our nolicv with regard to emigration. .Wo n«ed no long er entertain any apprehension as to the disposition of our sunrius population. On .tho 'contrary, we hope that our population will increase with groat er rapidity, so that we may be better able to carry out the mission ll P r on whioh we have embarked.- Further-^ more our advantage in commerce an.l industry lies in the chean labour of whWi we have abundance. In order to maintain this advantage in the international rivalry for commercial supremacy, It is important that we should refrain from encouraging the emigration of our labourers to foreign countries. In view of these facts. Japan has determined not. to allow the emieration of its labourers to Western countries, and osnecially to Canada and tho United States."