RELATIONS WITH JAPAN

Manawatu Standard, Volume LXI, Issue 126, 30 April 1941, Page 7

RELATIONS WITH JAPAN

OUTSPOKEN Ml NISTER. VIGILANCE DEFENDED. SYDNEY. April 29. Australian and Japanese relations were again in the spotlight to-day, the central figures being the Japanese Minister to Australia (Mr Kawai) and the Federal Minister of External Affairs (Sir F rede rick Stewart). The ball was set rolling by Air Kawai, who, in the course of a long statement couched in more pointed terms than those which marked his arrival, reassured Australians that there was no intention by the Japanese Government of “moving down” on Australia by military force. On the contrary, Japan wished only to cultivate trade friendship. He asserted that Japan would never bo induced to resort to force except as a final measure when there was sufficient provocation.

Mr Kawai deprecated constant implications by persons in responsible positions, also sections oi the Press, that Japan had sinister aims since signing the Soviet Neutrality P.act. He concluded with the hope that he would not leave this country a. failure in his mission. Sir. Frederick Stewart. in the course of his reply, said : ‘‘The paramount concern ior Australia is that we have engaged heart and soul in a war on the side of Britain against an enemy with whom Japan has allied herself. Our duty is to pay regard to the current trends of opinion and policy in other countries.” Sir Frederick Stewart recalled the speeches by Mr Matsuoka on the occasion of his visit to Berlin and Rome and his more recent message of congratulation on the Axis victory in Greece, where Australians had laid down their lives. .“No surprise,” lie said, “should be felt if cognisance is taken not merely of the official interpretation ot the Tripartite Pact, which tics Japan to Germany and Italy, hut also of the many interpretations given to it by Japanese commentators, who continually urge closer collaboration with our-, enemies. These factors provide some vital considerations which must have an influence on Australia’s outlook. “What Mr Kawai calls mistrust and suspicion against Japan is for us vigilance and inescapable .duty as a full partner in the British Commonwealth.”