ASSISTANCE TO CHIANG

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume LXVI, Issue 19827, 3 January 1939, Page 5

ASSISTANCE TO CHIANG

OBJECTION IN TOKIO

(Reed. Jon. 3, 9 a.m.) TOKIO, Dec. 31

The Prime Minister of Japan, Prince Konoye, and the Foreign Minister, Mr. Hachino Arita, have issued a new year message emphasising the necessity for severe restrictions throughout Japan in order to exterminate communism and emancipate the Far E»st from "Western bondage." They deplore that the assistance given to Marshal Chiang Kai-Shek by a third Power is interfering with the Japanese reconstruction scheme in China.

The Minister of Finance, Mr. Seihin Ikeda, in a new year statement, says that the Government of Japan is planning to issue further national bonds valued at approximately £291,000,000 and also tax increases totalling £11,000,000 in order to cope with the demands of the war in China and other extraordinary expenditure. In view of the antagonism of Marshal Chiang Kai-Shek and the complicated international situation in China, Japan would be forced to redouble her efforts. "It must be emphasised that even after the establishment of Chin-ese-Japanese relations on the basis already outlined, it will be useless to expect' the rapid reduction of Japan s burdens if large-scale renovation in East Asia is to be achieved," he said. Japan's favourable trade balance in 1938 was £2,800,000.

MURDER IN TIENTSIN

(Reed. Jan. 3, 9 a.m.) TOKIO, Jan. 1

The Tientsin correspondent of the Domei News Agency reports that Mr. Wang Chu-Lin, the chairman of the Chamber of Commerce, was shot dead when entering a motor car after dining at the French Concession. He was 81 years of age and was the leading member of the Sino-Japanese Economic Council. He advocated better relations with Japan.