JAPAN AND AUSTRALIA.

Pahiatua Herald, Volume XIX, Issue 4945, 19 September 1914, Page 3

JAPAN AND AUSTRALIA.

A DIFFERENT' OUTLOOK. When it was first mentioned that Japan intended to take a part in the war, there were many good Australions who expressed the gravest apprehension, says an Australian writer. They feared that under the pretence of guarding Australia, the Japanese would dome with their fleets and patrol Australasian watens, anchor in Australian ports, and generally let Australians know they were under the protection of men whom the Australian laws denied entry to the country. Without doubt this fear was bred of an amazing conceit which could not recognise any part of the Pacific as of much importance save that which bordered on Australia. “And : if England gets beaten, well, i the Japanese will stay here,” was the opinion expressed by one Australian to me. Now that Japan is devoting her attention to a part of the Pacific which is Of infinitely greater importance to her than Australia is, the Australians are coming to the conclusion that the Japanese are not pirates and swashbucklers after all, but “rather honourable decent chape.” There can, he no doubt, however, that the present crisis will compel Australia to drop for good and all her White Australia policy as it effects Indians, Japanese and Chinese of the business and professional classes. How can a British possession deny entry to gentlemen of nations who are Allies or part of the British Empire? The Japanese have already told Australians that they do not expect the free admission of the coolies, who would lower the standard of living and oust the Australian labourer. On economic grounds they agree with that part of the White Australia policy. But the better classes would not lower the standard. After the whites, browns and yellows have fought shoulder to shoulder; the col-our-line will have to go, and Australians and New Zealanders will have to make up their minds to it, though the matter affects Australia more than New- Zealand. For she has enormous rich territories which yearn for population.