TRADE STRANGLED

Manawatu Standard, Volume LXI, Issue 204, 30 July 1941, Page 7

TRADE STRANGLED

EFFECT OF MEASURES,

DEMOCRACIES IN CONCERT. (United Press Association —Copyright) (Itec. 10 a.m.) RUGBY, July 29. It was emphasised in London this morning - that the measures taken against Japan by the United States, Britain, and the Dominions constitute machinery which brings Japan’s trade with those countries to a standstill.

The machinery is so devised that, , through the system licenses which may be granted in respect of individual ; transactions, there may be a relaxation . of these measures, but the extent to which this will be permitted may wed be dependent on Japanese action. A Sydney message says that, although the Japanese Minister to Australia (Mr Kawai) would not comment on '-lie freezing of Japanese assets, an authoritative member of his legation described the action as inhuman and unethical, resulting in Japanese residents in Australia being deprived of the right of doing not only international but internal business. Moreover, they would i be unable to work for their own Ihj ing. He asked how would honest Australian citizens feel if placed in a siini-j lar position. Two Japanese ships scheduled to reach Australian ports yesterday have j so far not reported. It is believed they are standing out to sea awaiting; clarification of the economic action, taken against Japan. The Japanese radio alleges that 1 trit-' ish troops are moving towards Thai-j land. British naval forces are threat-; i ening that country and Britain is exerting strong pressure on Thailand. It is pointed out in London that this, radio campaign is similar to the one > which preceded Japanese action to “protect” Indo-Ghina. The Federation Minister of Information (Senator Full) yesterday announced that he and a party of Australian journalists would shortly go to the | Netherlands Fast Indies at the invitation of’the Governor-General there to , inspect defence works and learn all about the Netherlands war effort.