The Daily News THURSDAY, JULY 18, 1929. TROUBLE IN FAR EAST.

Taranaki Daily News, 18 July 1929, Page 10

The Daily News THURSDAY, JULY 18, 1929. TROUBLE IN FAR EAST.

Problems connected with the Far East have always held sinister possibilities should the world s peace be again seriously ruptur-

ed. It is somewhat significant that the recently pronounced policy of the British Labour Government with regard to Singa-

pore should have almost coincided with the serious trouble which has arisen over the question of the Chinese Eastern Railway. That deplorable incident is of itself of no great direct consequence, but with it is associated closely old grievances and policies that are charged with peace menaces on the part of China, Russia and Japan. Four years ago it was estimated that m a very short time a large percentage of adult male Japanese would be unable to find employment in their own land. China, however, notwithstanding a massing of population in some parts, could absorb /a considerable number of Japanese, and to China Japan looks for part at least . of the solution of her population problem. For years a policy of peaceful penetration has been pursued; railways guarded by Japanese troops, industries staffed with Japanese workers, undertakings bought with Japanese money, concessions secured by Japanese political pressure, and similar advances of Japanese enterprise gave Japan a great hold in China. Her mercantile marine —the third largest in the world — has maintained close communication between the two countries. But for the dire disasters which overtook Japan as the result of natural causes, there can be no doubt that Japan’s expanding manufactures, increasing wealth and growing self-confidence would have brought. every day a powerful impact upon her less organised neighbour, making imigration to China increasingly easy» for Japanese artisans. At least that was the case until Chinese internal warfare altered the outlook very materially. In connection with the present railway trouble, it should be recalled that, geographically, Japan commands the gateway to the Far East. Tsushima’s naval station guards the passage between Kinsiu and’ Korea, beside cutting communications between Port Arthur and Vladivostok. The Formosa- channel and the routes to Shanghai from Europe arc controlled by the Pescadores. Japan’s harbours arc among the finest in the world, and they are so supplied with defences that, in time of war, a large part of her jiavy could be spared for offensive purposes abroad. An adequate fleet seeking to attack her now would have to travel ten thousand miles from Europe or a thousand miles from the United States, necessitating the use of a fleet three times as powerful as the Japanese. The British base at Singapore offsets the risks of any such Japanese adventure, though the most powerful argument against it is to be found in Japan’s settled foreign policy. There can be no doubt that Soviet Russia has been' waiting for the opportunity to retaliate on China for putting an end to Moscow’s intrigues during the late Chinese struggle between North and South. When the Chinese awoke fully to the nature of the Soviet peril and became aware of the dangerous nature of Russian machinations they rightly to,ok drastic steps to get rid of all Russian pretended help. It is plainly evident the Chinese are determined to pursue an antiSoviet policy with regard to the Eastern Railway, and that Japan is holding herself ready to back up the Chinese. No greater absurdity could be perpetrated by the Soviet authorities than to resort to the bluff of an ultimatum regarding an immediate conference over the railway affair. Apparently the Chinese are going steadily ahead in the task of dismissing Russian officials, and paying no heed to idle threats. It may probably be thought that the German view of the matter covers the situation fairly, although that country is greatly interested. At the same time it is manifestly an exaggeration to state that Russia must choose between war with China and abandoning Vladivostock and the Pacific coast. China and Japan appear to be drawing closer together, though it is hardly likely there is a secret treat}'' between them of a militant nature. That Russia has made a false move is evident, but whether the League of Nations will act as arbitrator is quite another matter. Soviet Russia has only herself to blame if she provokes Japan to another trial of strength.

UNIVERSAL HALF HOLIDAY. The Government may be congratulated upon some astuteness in th© way a troublesome matter is being handled. In giving notice of motion that “in the opinion of the House provision should be made for the general observance of Saturday as the statutory half holiday and the weekly half holiday for shop assistants,” the Minister of Labour (Hon. W. A. Veitch) will have an opportunity of sensing the feeling of members without committing the Government to definite legislation. The most attractive feature of his proposal is that a universal half-holiday is suggested. Whether Saturday is the best day upon which the holiday should be observed is a question upon which there are conflicting opinions, though it may be said that those who take the view that a mid-week day would be more convenient to country clients admit that if a universal holiday were decided upon the actual day chosen would be of much less moment than it is at present, when the question is left to local authorities to settle. If a statutory holiday be made universal in its application it will remove from local authorities the necessity for deciding what is often a very controversial question, and will do away with the somewhat cumbersome and costly system whereby a .local poll is taken to decide if any alteration in the weekly halfholiday shall be made. It is a question that is quite outside ordinary party polities, and Parliament should therefore be capable of handling it in quite an impartial manner. It will be interesting to see what attitude the majority of members are likely to adopt, especially as the notice of motion will give them ample time to sound the feelings of constituencies before they address the House.