LABOUR IN JAPAN.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LVI, Issue 17189, 17 June 1919, Page 7

LABOUR IN JAPAN.

' AWAKENING PREDICTED,

VISCOUNT KATO'S VIEWS. PROBLEMS TO BE FACED. In a cablegram from Tokio dated May 29, the special commissioner of the Sydney Sun in Japan, says: — I had an interview to-day with Viscount Takaaki Kato, leader of the Ken-sei-Kai Party (th chief party in opposition to the existing Government). A former Ambassador in" London, formerly Minister for Foreign Affairs, and a most fluent speaker in English, Viscount Kato is regarded as Japan's ablest exponent of parliamentary government, and he is) likely to become Premier, jnless the bureaucracy prevents him. Viscount. K.ato spoke most, freely of current. industrialist, militarist, and national it problems. Begum'.a with the Labour movements, Viscount Kato said: "In considering Japan's position, vs must remember that the personal relation of employer an-i employed is closer here than in the Americwi or Eng systems. Japan is fa" off Mm position in which combh ed la iour is opposed to combined employers. Sill, there is tV -* •-t a whether" the personal r*\ :'.,.. ■_>-.".- and new relate.; usl.o i... ~. ' .01 tantly {'•,:.■•.;? l" ~-.. , v ;■ ■ ■ •>!«>, 'l v.- !.?';-. ..r/ -VC.".. , - ' ■ .!. 'i ' «. live in u. i'-vi'.- ,"...'. [■;■■ rorumeri cannot fail to notice ti.v. huge dividends, »*vl ■ onttiro gr '0: ieci;' ition.'" 'ÜbGS' A£2 '-' "1 iihWft iikcwmfr -hat i! '':.)!}: ■':,;:., '.. .-jlq ii-wicrtal.■■? tc *c\\f tho Uiour problems, Viscount iato isuid thai ft'l parts „■! ti •• world must apfiee generally. <>•■ llw >rh>ciples, and it was "C'.-ss.'-;. ',' , .Ta[ any *J?r,ployws should cc» >' « tin/ "»icl Bui it - 7u,s hp- ' , : - >'-■ '. -, -■• .\t ti:f> Japa ■>■•'•« voi.'i.r-;: .ii in* ■%«(* <. .., (Miiir.'ii ,'».?■' i ' ih .' rot "i ■ d.^c- :. m•. ■■-.' ,1 '. ' -i'T .■ ♦. , ti' : - ; ': 9 ■> idi"- -': ' '.■■' --'; 0 ',: . r.i! '•: - |.■'• 8 I ' - '!'•.'.-.'.■'■, .IKIi i.. ■ .■•<:„,: <'-, ; '« i-:.-; iv rc",Hrlc.: h to v: --"a'.' 11' J S.A' t j.; vJlurAlfJi. F<v >< t> '.hi Koi '<>r qitcrt)- ' ■• our ..v<. . u-iil ~!,„' hc-Yii ;u, : '. .'el •: '• uJrir. tu.f h l:»J i..a»L p •-"■-• : «" *' ' v " V-' '. !.c'. ■•- /li.ici, • }«•;.-."...i ii i. ■'j sp'j;■ '..■ i« etpr - . > '••:.' ■ ■ ■»*-•■ t;'- tjiA-ij-', -':•!: i.( ;i' ►.* '~x ii- .fc*-: 1 *, .i"'i t . «vi'i' hi"' >;-•'.--. iNe-er Unless f>uti,.i us c. ;i;> i \iolenco hive to je supi ■:•,&& t.» .i.> ,''■•.•■.' govdug power. "After the present disr«rbat-i .las oeen quelled we must think of anting Koreans a greater share of government But this must be done gradually, and it will take time. In no case shall the Koreans think they aro obtaining independence, which wo will never grant."

The Terms of Peace. Viscount Kato added that it must be perceived that all theories of government by military power had received a severe set-back through the defeat of Germany. If Germany had been victorious the tendency might be the other way. Viscount Kato gave it as his opinion that the Japanese constitution was moving towards greater recognition of government by political parties. The older bureaucratic influences were waning, though military influences prevailed in the existing administration.

Viscount Kato raised the question whether Germany would 6ign the Peaco Treaty and whether the terms could possibly bo maintained after signing. Ho thought that it was not pretended that a jivrjie organised nation should remain uivk," fiuch restrictions • for an indefinite perk.:! of time. He was full of liouLts dp. (,'iis question.

Mr. Hughes's Speeches. The interviewer asked Viscount Kato whether his long residence abroad and close acquaintance with Western ideas and methods constituted an obstacle to his political advancement. Viscount Sato, . smiling, said:—"Many of my enemies endeavour to mako this a political cry against me. I think it does not count much in the long run." The question was put to Viscount K--'"i because many influential politicians nave spoken also expressing distrust of Viscount Kato an account of his exceptional political dexterity. When saying good-bye Viscount Kato remarked: —" It is perfectly safe for you to inform Australians that Japanese labour is certain to assert itself. And the disparity between the conditions of the two countries will be decreased." He added, laughing: " Then perhaps there will be no need for Mr. Hughes to make those interesting speeches ho made in Paris."