SOUTH AFRICA

Taranaki Daily News, 2 December 1933, Page 4

SOUTH AFRICA

OBJECTIVE OF JAPAN. DESIGNS ON RICH AREAS. London, Nov. 23. "Unless the British and Dutch drop their bitter race hatred, with the possibility of cutting adrift from the Empire, South Africa may be at the mercy of the Japanese,” declares the historian Mr. Hedley Chilvers, in his book, “The Yellow Man Looks On,” just published. The author continues: “The fact that South Africa is the world’s treasurehouse with its £3,000,000,000 worth of gold, vast quantities of diamonds and platinum and other valuable metals, has not escaped the notice of poor, over-crowded, hungry Japan, which is determined to find space for its surplus people. “Following Japanese advocacy of South Africa being approached to receive settlers, Japan, in 1927, began secret negotiations to purchase a ranch 267 miles in extent on the border of Natal and Swaziland, estimated to be capable of supporting 80,000 cotton growers and others. Exposure led to the abandonment of the plan, although the acquisition of land by Asiatics had previously been prohibited. “After that Japanese trade missions visited South Africa. The result was a so-called gentlemen’s agreement—which many think a mistake—designed to open the door to Japanese trade, in the hope that the Japanese would buy South African wool. This has not materialised, however, as the Japanese found Australian wool cheaper. “South Africa also has admitted Japanese students, tourists and merchants, and this has resulted in a flood of cheap Japanese goods and in forcing the Government to Introduce duties.” Tire author draws attention to the danger of a Japanese invasion of South Africa after the defeat of the weakened British fleet, and possible occupation of regions in Australia, as, he says, the Japanese farmer would be able to cultivate land in sub-tropical Queensland and the African karoo, . ■