JAPAN AND AUSTRALIA

Otago Daily Times, Issue 23529, 18 June 1938, Page 21

JAPAN AND AUSTRALIA

The proverbial visitor from Mars probably would be astounded at the difficulty of peopling a land (Australia) which is one of the Empire’s finest territories, and would wonder that Empire populations are not redistributed, writes Mr A. A. James in the Contemporary Review under the title. “Australia in the Shadow of Japan.” It is an anomaly that while the transport of half a million British soldiers for the defence of Australia would be regarded as a meritorious achievement, the transfer of a similar number of citizens for peace purposes is so difficult. Australians, after all. have the remedy in their own hands. Owing to the declining birthrate the natural increase is only about 52,000 per annum To double it would be the equivalent of 52 shiploads of 1000 migrants each per annum; but that also is a matter for individual decision, though excuses would not avail if Japan, not without logic, and with superior force, were to argue that as her birthrate is twice that of Australia she must have more room—in Australia. Nature and war are very similar in their unconcern about the causes of weakness and in the callousness with which they take advantage of it. The only crime of the thousands who have succumbed in China is that they were weak. Had il not been for the British Navy Japan might have invaded Australia first.