CHINA'S COAL.

Ohinemuri Gazette, Volume XXX, Issue 4060, 29 December 1919, Page 3

CHINA'S COAL.

AMPLE-TO SUPPLY YGRLD'S

NEEDS.

Professor James Murdoch, professor of Oriental Studies at the University of Sydney, gave an inaugural lecture 'on December 3.. In introducing the professor to the audience Mr H. E. Barff (registrar) sair that Professor Murdoch came to them with a reputation from long residence in the East, and was a great authority on the history of Japan and all matters connected with that country. The lecturer said Canton a,nd Port Darwin were separated by on greater distance than Sydney was from Perth. We had, therefore, to realise who were our neighbours. Australia had a population of about five millions, while China had somewhere between 350 and 400 millions. China, though a poor country at the present time, was really the richest country in the world on account of her immense resources of iron' and coal. As an "iron and steel country China might some | day even rival America. What was wanted was 'capital and experts' to develop these resources. He mentioned that if all the coal in the rest of the world should go up in flames to-morrow, the coal measures of Shansi would be sufficient-to supply all requirements of industry for several thousands of years. When this became available (as it might before 10 years), coal owners and coal miners would find that they would have very awkward outside factors to reckon with. ''Japan, as a manufacturing arid industrial nation," said Professor Murdoch, "has even how to be very seriously reckoned with. Her mercantile marine is already the chief carrier on the Pacific, and in naval power she ranks third among the Statess of the world; and -she is sedulously expanding and perfecting her armaments, for her rulers seem to trust more to keeping<her powder dry .than in the League of Nations."