BRITAIN AND JAPAN

Hawera Star, Volume LIII, 26 August 1933, Page 5

BRITAIN AND JAPAN

VERY DELICATE SITUATION | TRADING NEGOTIATIONS i HTnitwi c, ie3B Association—By E!<*ctric Telegraph J Copyrights LONDON, Aug. 2s. ! “A vorv delicate situation confronts j the British Empire in connection with \ the Japanese trade negotiations,” says i the “Sun.” “Japan’s suspicions of | Britain are deep-seated. The Government, public, newspapers, and industrialists are extremely sensitive, fearing the Empire is organising an antiJapanese trade boycott. “The tension is increased by York-! shire’s, Lancashire’s, the Dominions’ I and colonies’ allegations of slave labour whi'-h the Japanese bitterly resent 1 and which allegations British official j quarters admit are unjustified. It is j recognised that Europe is no longer, able to compete with Japan’s, China’s j and India’s low-grade manufactures, ; which can never be displaced in the, Ear East. _ . j Britain’s case contains several legi-; timate grievances. For example, j •Japan’s commercial success has been. largely developed by freedom of trade and navigation within the Empire. J The Japanese have refused the Empire i a corresponding benefit. Furthermore,! Japan has refused to allow British ships to engage in Inter-port trade in Japan. The Japanese luxury tariff has hit Britain. Another severe blow was the expulsion of British tobacco interests from Korea. Yet Japan fiercely resented Britain, the only remaining free trade nation, reversing her policy. “The British realise that botli sides have a case and will be guided by the principle that it is useless to retaliate for the sake of retaliation. Ihe Biitish and Japanese must recognise that both would suffer in the event of a violent tariff war.”