RELATIONS WITH JAPAN

Otago Daily Times, Issue 23352, 18 November 1937, Page 8

RELATIONS WITH JAPAN

UNFRIENDLY PROPAGANDA HOSTILE ATTITUDE DEPRECATED (Per United Press Association) WELLINGTON, Nov. 17. A discussion on New Zealand trade with japan arose in the Wellington Chamber of Commerce when Mr J. T. Martin referred to a cablegram expressing deep concern over the “ unfriendly feeling against Japan caused by unfriendly propaganda,” which had been received from the president of the Japan Foreign Trade Federation by a local firm. The cablegram also stated that an unnecessary hindrance to Japanese commerce was caused by “unusual anti-Japanese activities.” Mr Martin said what the Japanese were concerned about was propaganda against them which might lead to a boycott. Though the quantities of scrap iron'sent from New Zealand to Japan were not large, the only prohibition in trade so far was of this commodity. He thought everything should be done to prevent the dissemination of antiJapanese propaganda in New Zealand.

Mr M. G. C. McCaul expressed a hobe that moral issues would always stand higher than material ones. The president (Mr A. J. Curtis) said there was not much good in the chamber discussing the subject, as the chamber could not take sides. The prohibition of the export of scrap iron had been a Godsend to those in the industry in New Zealand.