MISSION TO JAPAN

Taranaki Daily News, 29 December 1934, Page 7

MISSION TO JAPAN

THE MOVE BY BRITAIN. EASTERN ENTHUSIASM. The Japanese newspapers have received the British Industrial Mission (sponsored by the Federation of British Industries) with great enthusiasm. A special “welcome” supplement was issued by the “Osaka Mainichi,” which contains some remarkable articles, says the Manchester Guardian. One of these, by Mr. Fusajiro Abe, the chairman of the Japan Cotton Spinners’ Association, has the following reference to the abortive discussions in London between the Lancashire and Japanese representatives in the spring. The attempt failed mainly because of the narrow-mindedness and suspicion ot the British representatives, it was believed by Japan. Later it was found that the British representatives were not solely responsible for the failure of the negotiations. The industrialists of Manchester, cradle of the Free Trade principle, were used, it is believed by Japanese, as instruments by the British Government in effecting high tariff walls against foreign imports, which followed after the failure of the Anglo-Japanese negotiations. On behalf, of the members of the Japan Cotton Spinners’ Federation i would ’ like to emphasise the fact that we are still enthusiastic supporters of the movement for Anglo-Japanese cooperation. We will ■ spare no efforts to promote trade with Britain, if the British people are so inclined. Mr. Seita Kumura, the president of the Teikokii Rayon Company, makes an appeal for co-operation with Britain. He notes' that the Japanese rayon industry, with one exception, uSes the viscose process, the invention of a British chemist. NONE TO COMPETE. No country (he says) ean compete with Japan at present in - the cost of rayon production. This is due to the advance of technique and low . wages. In addition, the favourable foreign exchange makes export prices of Japanese rayon lower than that of other countries’ outputSince Britain and other advanced countries cannot compete with Japan in rayon exports, I should like to suggest that they give up further international competition and co-operate with Japan in exploiting the world market. . Each country has its speciality, even in the same industry, and this speciality should be utilised to bring about industrial co-operation. Britain has so far made investments in Italian and German rayon industries. Why not invest in the Japanese rayon industry? Investment in foreign rayon industries is one way of maintaining one’s profit in the rayon business, especially when one’s interests are effected by another’s competition. The visit of the British Economic Mission to Japan and Manchukuo is a good opportunity to inaugurate, industrial cooperation. The mission will undoubtedly find Manchukuo a promising market for the rayon business. In this sense we welcome British investments in the Japanese rayon industry and further co-operation in exploiting the market in Manchukuo. We have no objection to Anglo*Japanese joint enterprises in Manchukuo. The exchange of shares between British and Japanese rayon companies also will be interesting. We would like to co-operate with Britain, the nation that once so kindly guided us in the rayon industry, in respect of production and sales. We shall be able to return the courtesy by agreeing to co-operation, thereby assuring Britain’s profit in the rayon business to some extent. REVIVING THE ALLIANCE. The mission, on its part, has not been lacking in compliments to its hosts. Sir Charles Seligman, in an interview with the “Osaka Mainichi,’’ is reported to have declared:— I can say that practically every thinking Briton is in favour of reviving the Anglo-Japanese Alliance, not with a secret agreement to attack any third party but for open and friendly mutual assistance. We had to think of the American sentiment towards it before, but the situation has changed. It can be arranged, I think, if Japan seriously desires it. Of course, the only difficulty lying in the way 13 trade competition. In this respect I wish to meet leading industrialists of Osaka and frankly exchange views with them. If friendly favour is shown by the Japanese towards British co-operation in Manchukuo, the British might reciprocate by showing favour in Empire trade. Business is based on the principle of give-and-take, you know.