JAPAN'S EXPORTS

Otago Daily Times, Issue 21982, 17 June 1933, Page 11

JAPAN'S EXPORTS

j COMPETITION WITH BRITAIN j L (■ ■. EXCHANGE OF TELEGRAMS. LONDON, June 15. The Japanese Economic Federation telegraphed to the British industries associated with the British Chambers of Commerce and the Manchester Chamber of Commerce as follows: —“ We are anxious to conclude adequate trade agreements with Britain with a view to adjusting the intense competition, and in this connection we regret the recent attitude of the British cotton industry, which is antagonistic to the traditional Anglo-Japanese friendship. Japanese cotton interests are so perturbed over the revision of the Indian Import tariff that they are preparing to boycott Indian raw cotton. Japan may impose a prohibitive tanff on wool, wheat, and other products imported from Britain and the dominions.” The recipients by telegram replied: “ Such a tariff would have disastrous results. We earnestly hope that an exchange of views will result in harmony. The present situation is grave and intolerable to British industrial and commercial interests which were in no way associated with the independent Indian action.'’ > CAUSE OF INCREASED TRADE LOW RATES OF WAGES. KOBE, June 9. Overwhelming corroboration of amazing disclosures regarding Japanese sweated labour is supplied by investigations here. The following figures give a sharp idea of Japanese labour conditions, which, combined with depreciated money, are, rather than dumping, the cause of the amazing increase in exports: — A 10 or 12-hour day is worked in most- factories. The highest average daily wage in any industry is ss, and the lowest 7d (in match factories). A hundred sen equals about Is fid in New Zealand money, ap'd a Government investigation in December revealed that the daily average wage of females is 77 sen (Is 2d) for cbtton spinning, 69 (Is o£d) on cotton power loom, 66 (Is) in silk filature, and 71 (Is Ofd) in hosiery. Regarding males, moulders draw 216 sen (3s 3d), glassmakers 172 (2s 7d), carpenters 195 (2s lid), turners 219 (3a 3id), masons 232 (3s 6d), labourers 126 (Is 10*d). Wages have not increased this year. Tsuneko Akamatsu, president of the Women’s Labour Federation, states that women are working 12 hours daily for from 15 to 20 yen (from £1 2s 6d to £1 10a) a month at weaving, rayon, celluloid, rubber, and electrical works, which largely employ female labour. New hands, get only about 25 sen (about 4£d) daily, less 15 sen (2}d) for dormitory charges.