GOODS FROM JAPAN

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXIII, Issue 22540, 3 October 1936, Page 14

GOODS FROM JAPAN

EFFECT ON EMPIRE TRADE CHEAP LABOUR COSTS Very real fears of the threat to Empire trade by Japanese competition are entertained by Mr. C. G, Gibson, M.P. for Pudsey and Otley in the British House of Commons, and president-elect of the Association of British Chambers of Commerce, who arrived at Auckland by the Mariposa yesterday after spending several weeks in Japan. Mr. Gibson is to represent the Leeds Chamber of Commerce at the Mth Congress of the Federation of Chambers of Commerce of the British Empire now being held at Wellington, and is to move a remit urging the necessity for giving attention to Japanese trade competition. Cheap labour costs were responsible for .Japan's ability to compete with Empire goods, said Mr. Gibson. Girl operatives in Japan were being paid the equivalent of about 7s a week, with a little extra money for living expenses. Their efficiency was remarkable. In addition to this the Government was sponsoring increasing cflorts to find new markets. Japanese commercial representatives wore being sent to every part of the world. So far as Australia and New Zealand were concerned his observations led him to believe that in a few years' time Japan would be altogether independent of New Zealand and Australian wool supplies. Although Mr. Gibson did not see any signs of rearmament in Japan, ho said he knew that shipping companies were receiving a subsidy of 55 yen, or over sterling, a ton if they built ships which could be converted into auxiliary cruisers. The ordinary commercial and trading lines were also hea"\ily subsidised and differential treatment in the way of customs and harbour dues was accorded Japaneso and foreign ships entering and leaving Japanese ports.