JAPAN'S NEW CONSULGENERAL.

Hawera & Normanby Star, Volume LX, Issue LX, 1 November 1910, Page 2

JAPAN'S NEW CONSULGENERAL.

FAVORABLY IMPRESSED. OUR IMMIGRATION LAWS. When M. Uyeno, who had been Con-sul-General for Japan for about two years, left to visit his home in April last it was expected that he would return to Sydney after a few months. While in Japan, however, he wa« offered the important appointment of secretary to the Minister of the Imperial Household, which he accepted, and his successor in the Consulate-Gen-eral, M. Miki-Saito, arrived in Sydney on October 19, by the Japanese mail steamer Yawata Maru. M. Saito, who is 53 years of age, having been born in June, 1857j has done distinguished service in the Japanese Foreign Office, which he entered in July, 1885. In the following year he was sent to the Consulate at Hongkong, whence in April, 1890, he was transferred to Singapore. While here he was promoted to the rank of ViceConsul, and was also decorated by the King of Siam. He was appointed ViceConsul at Tacoma, Washington, U.S.A. in October, 1895, and while there (in December, 1897), he was promoted to the rank of Consul, having previously been decorated by the Emperor of Jap> an with the sixth class of the Imperial Order of the Sacred Treasure for meritorious service at the time of the war between China and Japan. In August, 1898, he was appointed Consul at Honolulu, and remained there for over ten years, receiving in December, 1901, a further decoration (the fifth class of the Sacred Treasure), from his Emperor, and in October, 1902, he was promoted to the rank of Consul-General. In April, 1906, he was further honored by the Emperor with the fourth class of the Sacred Treasure for meritorious service during the Russo — Japanese war, and in December, 1908, he returned to Japan, and was appointed chief of the third section of the Bureau of Commerce in the Department of Foreign Affairs at Tokio. This position he held till July 29 last, when he was appointed Consul-General at Sydney. The n«w Consul-General speaks excellent English, and in conversation gives one the impression of being a cultured gentleman and a polished diplomat. His eyes twinkle with mirth as he insists that the suggestion of possible invasion of Australia by Japan is preposterous. "But," he says, "while recognising • the perfect right of any nation to legislate to restrict other people from, coming within their territory, there is a feeling of regret that the Commonwealth Government did not adopt some other method by which the desired, end could have been attained." Asked to explain, he says the thing might "have been done by treaty or arrangement. "However," he says, "w© recognise ; that the foundation of this restrictive legislation is industrial and economic, rather than national. We do not believe there is anything approaching the racial antipathy that is sometimes spoken of. My personal opinion is that those who pass this kind of ' legislation do so from patriotic motives ; but it is a pity better information was not first gained of the people against whom they legislate. One of the distinguishing characteristics of the present generation and of the latter-jday civilisation is the increasing facilities for travel. It is now practically as safe to go round the world as to stay at home, and the natural ' result is that the nations must mingle and become more friendly. The growing desire for trade is bound to have this result. However the nations may do as they please. The only regret we have is that they do not just say what their wishes are. If they did so it would be accomplished." ' Commerce if M. Saito 5 s speciality, and he intends to give earnest consideration to means for extending the trade between the Commonwealth and Japan. The latter already buys a considerable quantity of wool, hides, and other raw products of Australia's primary industries, and supplies in exchange silk in large quantities, cotton, basketware, fish, oils, fertilisers, and other products. "I regret," he said, " that I had not the opportunity of seeing Mr Suttor, your representative, before I left. I believe he is doing very well, and his work is having a good effect on the trade relations of the two countries. My great hope is that the friendly relations now existing may continue and in.prove ; for looking upon Australia as part of the Great British Empire our desire is to be at amity with it as with all the world.'' M. Saito added that prior to leaving Jo pan he met M. Eitaki, formerly Consul here, and also M. Iwaskai, formerly acting Consul-General in Sydney, and both spoke in the most glowing terms of the beauty of Sydney, and the kindness of its people. They had the most pleasing recollections of their stay in the city. "Of course," he said in conclusion, with a smile and a bow, "I have not yet been able to see very much, but what I have seen has impressed me very favorably."