HAND OF FRIENDSHIP

Otago Daily Times, Issue 22654, 20 August 1935, Page 9

HAND OF FRIENDSHIP

JAPANESE GOODWILL MISSION WELCOMED IN THE DOMINION NEW ERA IN PACIFIC (Per United Press Association) WELLINGTON, August 19. ' The Japanese goodwill mission, headed by Mr Katsupi Debuchi, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary, arrived from Sydney to-day. “ I bring a message of goodwill from the people of Japan to the people of New Zealand,” said Mr Debuchi, when interviewed. “It is because we have the desire to maintain not only the. cordial relations of our Governments with each other, but the relations of good neighbours, that I am paying this call of friendship. The friendly relations between New Zealand and Japan are of long standing, and commerce between the two countries is daily growing greater. It is necessary that this mutual cooperation should be friendly and practical in order that the fraternity of the peoples of the Pacific may be as truly effective as the development of the new Pacific era demands.”

Accompanying Mr Debuchi are Mr K. Toyoda, secretary, Mr Y. Shudo, economic adviser, Mr Ishide, private secretary, and Professor Russo, of the University of Commerce, Tokio, who is now at the Melbourne University, being attached to the mission as personal adviser to Mr Debuchi. The members of the mission were welcomed by Sir Alfred Ransom on behalf of the Government, Sir O’Grady Roche, representing the Governor-General, Viscount Galway, and the heads of the naval and military forces. After the official welcome the party left for Government House, after which Mr Debuchi placed a wreath on the war memorial.

Amplifying the reference to the development of the new Pacific era, Mr Debuchi said it meant that in culture and material well-being the people of the Pacific were destined to make immense progress, and just what form their future would take it was impossible to say. Japan viewed herself as a nation diffusing Oriental culture, but it was impossible to ignore the Occidental influences which were at work. Whatever the future held it should be international prosperity and goodwill about the shores of the Pacific. In regard to trade, New Zealand had an important role to play in supplying Japan with wool.

FUTURE OF THE PACIFIC

GOLDEN ERA DAWNING JAPAN AND NEW ZEALAND MUTUAL CO-OPERATION I Pei: United Press Association) WELLINGTON, August 19. The Japanese goodwill delegation was entertained at a State luncheon to-day, the function being attended by members of Cabinet and many prominent citizens. Proposing the principal toast, the Prime Minister (Mr G. W. Forbes) said the example of Japan was one which might well be imitated, by other nations. Mr Debuchi would find the utmost goodwill. New Zealand always remembered the part played by the Japanese Navy when the troops, from this country left for the Great War. He thought that the visit of the University Rugby team to Japan would assist to promote good relations, as New Zealanders believed that friendships of a lasting character were made on the fields of sport. On behalf of the representative assembly he wished the visitors a pleasant and interesting time and that they would have nothing but happy memories of their visit.

Mr Debuchi, in reply, conveyed the thanks of the delegation for the cordiality which his party had experienced since its arrival. Their reception would meet with a warm response in the hearts of the Japanese people, and would be taken as a spontaneous expression of the genuinely friendly feelings of New Zealand towards Japan. He had not brought with him any diplomatic knapsack bulging with conventions and agreements: neither had he come like a commercial traveller seeking after business. His mission was one of peace and goodwill, a simple, friendly visit of one good neighbour to another. A common bond between both countries was the inestimable blessing which they had both derived from the beneficent rule of their heriditary monarchies. He was confident that their friendship would not be injured by economic difficulties, but would continue to grow in intimacy with the years, based on the golden mle of live and let live. There was no doubt that a golden era full of shining hopes and promises was dawning in the Pacific, and Japan and New Zealand were active partners in the building up and consolidating of this new age. It was encumbent on them to co-operate in a spirit of harmony and goodwill for the enhancement of peace and prosperity in these regions. DUNEDIN ARRANGEMENTS The Japanese “ goodwill mission," of which Mr Debuchi is the head, will arrive in Dunedin on Monday next from the north. Professor Russo, an Australian attached to the Toldo University of Commerce, will accompany the mission. On the Monday evening the members of the mission will have no official engagements. At 11.15 on Tuesday morning, August 27, Mr Debuchi will place a wreath on the fallen soldiers’ memorial in the Queen’s Gardens, and at 11.30 the members of the mission will be accorded a civic reception at the Town Hall. At 12.45 they will be the guests of the Chamber of Commerce at a luncheon, and in the afternoon they will be taken by the Mayor (the Rev. E. T. Cox) for a drive to points of interest around the city. At 8 p.m. there will be a civic “ at home ” at the Town Hall. At 9.30 on Wednesday morning, August 28. the party will leave by motor for Christchurch. Arrangements have been made through the headquarters of the Returned Soldiers’ Association for the ceremony at the fallen soldiers’ memorial and also on behalf of the mission for the purchase of a wreath.