LOVERS OF PEACE

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXX, 1 April 1936, Page 8

LOVERS OF PEACE

JAPANESE CHARACTERISTICS A BLENHEIMITE’S OPINION When, in Japan with the New Zealand Uni versify Rugby football team, Mr lan Stacc, of Marshlands, came lo Die conclusion that the Japanese as a race were a peace-loving people, well content with their lot but eager to find markets for their manufactures. When interviewed by “The Express” .Mr Since was questioned in regard to the attitude of the people towards (he British. He remarked that the Australians were undoubtedly apprehensive of the danger of invasion by the Japanese, and bearing this in mind he had made numerous inquiries, lint Die idea was treated as a good joke by Die Japanese. Generally speaking, the people appeared to be peace-loving anil contented, but they were unanimous that markets must be found for their products. Their manufacturing industries were being developed to an amazing extent, and the members of the team had formed the impression that the finding of outlets for the goods was the country’s main concern. Another important point in this connection was that the Japanese were frightened of the formidable Russian air force, and if was a curious fact that they themselves did not- make good pilots. There was a great deal of wealth in Japan, Mr Stacc said, but it was controlled by a few families and companies. The'Mitsui and Mitsubishi were two of the most powerful companies and controlled, amongst other things, the railways They commanded millions upon millions of pounds of capital. A. common belief was that Japan was buying up great quantities ol scrap iron for manufacture into war material, bin he considered that very little of it was really used for that purpose. Most of it was absorbed in constructional undertakings, the railways alone requiring vast quantities for the steel girders and towers on many of the lines which were being electrified. Building operations were also going on everywhere, and lie did think they would have enough iron, even if it were imported for years. A good deal of publicity was also being given to the fact that tin snipping® and waste materials were being imported, but it was significant that at one of the Australian ports the Kitano Maru, the boat on which the team sailed, loaded a quantity of such material, and on the voyage back lauded a cargo of sheet tin for Australia.