King Country Chronicle. Tuesday, October 24, 1933. JAPAN AS A WORLD PROBLEM.

King Country Chronicle, Volume XXVII, Issue 4461, 24 October 1933, Page 4

King Country Chronicle. Tuesday, October 24, 1933. JAPAN AS A WORLD PROBLEM.

It would be no great stretch of imagination to state that the world to-day is faced with a greater mass of international problems than has ever been experienced before. At one time the universe was divided into a number of small worlds, each with its own customs, languages, and ■ methods of living. From time to time their interests clashed and war was the result. These were mainly confined to two countries, but in some cases Britain took a part to maintain the balance of power in Europe. Today, however, it seems impossible to confine a war to two countries. Modern transport of all kinds has annihilated distance. All the large nations have financial and commercial interests in other countries, and this leads to a chain of endless complications which tend to draw others into a conflict. This is well exemplified by the position in the Far East. Had the large industrial countries in Europe not been warweary, and practically bankrupted by the war of 1914-18, Japan would never have attempted the conquest of Manchuria and Jehol. Britain, France, Germany, and the United States all having enormous interests in China, would immediately have made a demonstration against such action which Japan could not ignore. It was Japan's opportunity before the nations had recovered from the shocks of the Great War, and she was quick to seize it and her ambition was easier of fulfilment owing to the discord prevailing in Europe. It would seem, however, that Japan has further ambitions, but in what direction she will try to extend her influence it is yet impossible to state. At present she seems to have eyes on Siberia and is proving a thorn in the side of the Soviet, and with her highly organised forces on land, sea, and in the air, will prove a formidable antagonist to Russia. The only doubt about the plans of Japan is whether she can stand the financial strain in fighting Russia. If she gains a footing in Siberia, however, it is not likely that she will stop there, for it is known that there is a faction in Japan whose ambitions it is to free the coloured nations from white domination. Meanwhile the nations of Europe and the United States are suspicious of one another; there is nothing but dissension and discord, and Japan is slowly but surely working out her plans. Yet there is something that can be said for Japan. Her population is increasing at a dangerous rate when the size and resources of the country are taken into consideration. Her people are not allowed to migrate

to other countries, except to some States in South America. She must have an outlet, and can scarcely be blamed for using force to find that outlet. She knows of countries that are sparsely populated with great resources awaiting development, yet her own people are reaching a stage when it will be quite impossible to maintain themselves in their own limited country. It is a matter of wonder that the position of Japan has not been considered by the League of Nations, for it is one of the greatest problems of the world to-day. It would be infinitely better for all countries if they combined in finding an outlet for Japan's excess population instead of that country solving the problem herself by force of arms. Perhaps had the United States linked up with the League there might have been a movement to find a country in which to settle the surplus people of Japan, for it was only possible to do this by the co-operation of all countries. It requires little imagination to realise the feelings of an intelligent and virile race of people when they see nothing but disaster ahead with an ever-growing population, their food resources at the limit of capacity, while there are countries practically destitute of population. It is a situation which gravely menaces world peace, and the failure of the white people to settle their own financial and economic position makes that danger infinitely greater. Another phase of the Japanese problem is the flooding of the world's markets with cheap goods. Japan must be fed; she cannot even now produce enough food herself for her own population and must export manufactured goods to pay for her imports of foodstuffs and raw material. The industrial progress of Japan the last two decades has been one of the marvels of the age. The people are not original, but as copyists have no equal in the world. Japanese experts have been sent abroad to study the industrial methods of other countries and the knowledge they have gained is well known to other industrial countries, to their sorrow. A few years ago there was a fear that Russia would flood the country with cheap goods, but the Japanese can undersell Russia in all manufactured goods because of her marvellous industrial I organisation and the patience and intelligence of her workers. Labouring for sixteen hours a day for the equivalent of 10s a week, u'nder splendid organisation and with up-to-date machinery, Japan is a problem for all the other industrial countries. It is reported that Japan is planning to attain self-sufficiency by capturing new markets in South America and taking raw material and foodstuffs in return for manufactures. She also proposes to go in for extensive sheep raising in Korea and Manchuria. The South American States are not greatly interested in manufactures, their energies being mainly devoted to primary production, and such co-operation might suit these States. To lose the South American market to Japan would be a serious blow to Great Britain and Australia, yet is is impossible to allow cheap Japanese goods to be dumped on their shores. The situation in Europe to-day is bristling with many problems, but that in regard to Japan involves even more important issues which vitally affect New Zealand and Australia.