TO CORRESPONDENTS. X.—Please call at “Standard” Office Manawatu Evening Standard. WEDNESDAY, DEC. 8, 1937. SIAM’S DEVELOPMENT.

Manawatu Standard, Volume LVIII, Issue 9, 8 December 1937, Page 8

TO CORRESPONDENTS. X.—Please call at “Standard” Office Manawatu Evening Standard. WEDNESDAY, DEC. 8, 1937. SIAM’S DEVELOPMENT.

Tiie treaty of commerce concluded between Great Britain and Siam must tend to further strengthen the good relations between the two countries. British capital continues to play a most important part in Siam’s development and British officers fill important advisory posts. It is vital, too, to our security in the Ear East that Siam , should be a very good neighbour, for her strategic position is of tremendous importance, her borders marching with those of Malaya and Burma. In recent years the project of the Era Canal, which would shorten the route between China and Calcutta by 660 miles, and that from Bangkok to Burma by 1300 miles, has been revived, chiefly because of Japanese interest in Siam, and many people have considered its _ construction would reduce Singapore Base to a mockery. A wellinformed correspondent, however, observes that though this bogey of a short route between the Pacific and Indian Oceans has been truly laid, it has been a potent reminder of the value of Siam. To-day thirty-two per cent, of Siam’s seaborne trade which centres at Bangkok is with the British Empire. Eighteen months ago new Customs duties were adopted, imposing: specific rates on many classes of goods, and the new treaty of commerce with Britain no doubt has been the result of these tariff changes. Rice, teak, and tin are the chief exports, _ and imports cover a fairly wide range from cotton and silk goods to kerosene, sugar, metal wares, machinery, and foodstuffs. Siam’s development in recent years of her economic resources and her social and political fabrics has been the task set for itself by the People’s Party, so that recognition of her independence as an entity in Asia will be completely given. The country which has an area of 200,000 square miles and a population of only thirteen and a half million people;—6T to the square mile —a fertile _ soil and copious rainfall, rich tin mines as yet largely undeveloped, and vast teak forests, is now progressing from its former state of an absolute monarchy to a democracy. Nearly three years have elapsed since King Prajadhipok abdicated after his conflict , with the Government, and a boy King took the throne with a Regency until his crowning in seven years’ time. The objects of. the Government are classified under the six headings of independence, equality, liberty, internal peace, and economics. Friendship with Japan has been a somewhat disconcerting feature in some quarters, but the

Foreign Minister still affirms that Siamese policy permits no single favouritism. Though warships are being built in Japanese yards and young Siamese are being trained in the Japanese navy, British officers act as advisers to the Government. A Civil Service with equality of opportunity has been established, observes a commentator, municipal government introduced, and the police force expanded. State doctors instruct the public in social hygiene; more commercial, agricultural, and engineering schools have been opened, and there are schools of dancing and of fine arts and industrial arts. The reconstruction programme has meant an important advancement in agriculture, forestry, animal husbandry, fishing, and mining. The rice fields are to be irrigated scientifically and more tin mines are being worked by British capital. Communications are being improved on water—still the principal agency of transport—-and on land, no less than £15,000,000 being authorised for road expenditure over eighteen years. Siam’s progress in which British influence has not been backward, and strategic importance, provide an interesting study.