PETROL AT 6½d.

Southland Times, Issue 22159, 30 October 1933, Page 2

PETROL AT 6½d.

JAPAN AND HER ASPIRATIONS. AUSTRALIANS’ IMPRESSIONS Australians who returned by the Kitano Maru told an interesting story of Japan and her aspirations. _ Mr A. E. Sanders, grazier, of Kaniva, West Wimmcra (Victoria), was greatly impressed by the intensive cutivation. There were no fences; mountains v/ere terraced; and right to railway embankments rice, vegetables, and other edibles were grown. Paper bags were around the peaches and pears to thwart insects and birds. He inspected several dairies. Cows were housed and hand fed: Because of lack of room, they were exercised in the yard. They were quite healthy. . Mr Sanders formed the opinion that Japan was too busy with Manchuria—for the time being, at any rate —to seek expansion elsewhere. He also came to the conclusion that she must have Australian wool, and that we need not be worried on that score, although something should be done to meet Japan in making trade more reciprocal. Mr A. Bongiorno, managing director of Bongiorno Bros. Pty., Ltd., . Nhill, Victoria,-found that-tooth brushes, such as would cost 1/- in Sydney shops, were being sold in Japan at the equivalent of from 6/- to 8/- a gross, wholesale, 5/- tobacco pouches for 3/3 a dozen, pearl-handled pocket-knives at 2/9 a dozen, children’s tricycles at £24 a gross, sun-glasses at 350 gross for £5, and sandshoes at 5/- dozen. Retail, it was possible to purchase a man’s bicycle for 22/6 complete, silks of good class at 6d or 7d a,yard, ties for 7Jd. best silk shirts made to order for 6/9, straw hats for 7, and ordinary silk shirts for 4/6. Petrol, of a brand popular in Australia, was available at 6Jd a gallon, and taxi fare for four or five miles was 7Ad. The purpose in outselling everybody he gathered, was to keep all employed, the policy following on a world study of conditions. Goods were being shipped principally to Germany, South America, and U.S.A. Cheap labour is the secret, according to Mr Bongiorno. Street labourers receive 1/li a day. Shopgirls start at about 25/- a month. A house-maid who speaks two or three European languages may receive up to £4 5/- a month. An ordinaiy house-maid may receive 35/a month; a factory girl 21/3 a month and her food and lodging; and the men 28/- or thereabouts. They work 10 or 12 hours a day, Sunday inclusive, with two or three days off a month. There are few unions in Japan. These are under Government control, and strikes are practically unknown.