The Timaru Herald. SATURDAY, OCTOBER 27, 1934. ALLY OR RIVAL?

Timaru Herald, Volume CXXXVIII, Issue 19941, 27 October 1934, Page 12

The Timaru Herald. SATURDAY, OCTOBER 27, 1934. ALLY OR RIVAL?

Rumours that a revival of the Alifflo-Japanese alliance is under contemplation, although freely circulated in the English press, have been officially denied. The reports apparently arose, the cable messages suggest this morning, from the interest created by the trade discussions at Tokio between representatives of the Federation of British Industries and a corresponding Japanese organisation. It is explained in an official wireless message from Rugby, that the Federation of British Industries is a purely commercial and entirely unofficial organisation, and, as has already been made emphatically clear by the delegates themselves, the deputation now visiting the Far East has no official status or authority. It is nevertheless interesting to note the persistence with which rumours are circulated, relating to the possibility of a renewal of the former treaty between Britain and Japan. Some thirty years ago, the commentators are now reminding us, the British Government concluded an alliance with Japan. Among the experts in foreign policy there was a good deal of debate, verging even upon acrimony, about its expediency; but the Press and the general public, subject perhaps to a certain amount of inspiration, acclaimed it warmly and voted it a big feather in the cap of the Foreign Secretary, the late Lord Lansdowne. Japan’s stocks stood very high in those days. Her sudden emergence in the course of a single generation from a picturesque mediaevalism into all the blessings of modern civilisation, including, with a semblance of Parliamentary government, the raw realities of industrialism, universal military service and the nucleus of a formidable navy, had astounded the Western world, but not on the whole in an agreeable sense. America and most of the great European Powers regarded the emergence of a Yellow Power in world-politics with suspicion and even alarm, which were confirmed presently by the event of the Chino-Japanese war, and a few years later were brought to a head when Japan not only challenged but signally defeated Russia’s grandiose scheme for securing a Far Eastern seaboard. Great Britain alone viewed the situation with calm and even approval. The attitude was partly sentimental. It was easy, especially after a glance at the map, to see in Nippon in the East the analogue of Britain in the West —a small but vigorous island power asserting itself in the neighbouring continent. This was the romantic cover for considerations of policy that were not in the least romantic. The British Empire had important Oriental interests to consider, and it was conceived that these could best be consulted with the new Oriental Power. It was decided, if not exactly to kneel before the Rising Sun, to pay it a gratifying measure of respect. And so the Anglo-Japanese alliance was concluded. To-day, the alliance lies among the unregarded debris of the post-war cataclysm. Many arguments have been advanced in support of the advocates of repairing the alliance, not because Japan is feared as a naval and military Power, but because Nippon wields a menacing weapon in the form of economic aggression which may upset the peace of the world. Manifestly Japan’s power to undersell her trade rivals in the Eastern markets has compelled worldwide attention. Moreover, this commercial aggression has coincided with political aggression in China, culminating in the establishment of a vassal State of Manchukuo, which now challenges Britain’s oil rights in the Orient. When the League of Nations gently reasoned with Japan on the point, Japanese statesmen snapped their fingers at Geneva, and resigned their membership. Under the circumstances, it is not surprising that the British public is beginning to recognise that it has to face unpleasant new facts, which may suggest to Downing Street that they may look a little closer info Anglo-Japanese relationships with the idea of deciding whether the peace of the Far East would be less unstable if Japan were persuaded to play the role of ally rather than that of a dangerous and aggressive rival.

COAL MINING INDUSTRY

“Coal mining at present is not a paying proposition, and to place the industry on a sound basis some scheme of amalgamation, cooperation or combined marketing should be considered in order to bring about the desired result.” In these words Colonel nolgate. chairman of the Coalmine Owners’ Association of New Zealand, revealed the enormity of the problem confronting an important industry. With most industrial enterprises, coal mining suffered its full share of the troubles during the period of economic disequilibrium which so completely upset the financial and economic balance of most businesses; but added to that setback the coal mining industry has been grievously affected by newer fuels and sources of power. Certainly, as stated by Colonel Holgate, mining operations have caused over production and pricecutting, but carried further, over-

production and price-cutting were not so much due to the number of mines operating, as to the fact that consumption has turned to other fuels and other power. Electricity and oil,* even though they do many services that coal and steam never did, have become formidable rivals. It must be admitted that for an economical and efficient engine, few sources of power can equal steam, but its lack of adaptability made the opening for its present-day competitors. This disadvantage is countered, in a number of countries, particularly Great Britain, and even in the United States, where oil and hydro-electric power is so widely used, by using steam to generate electricity. These and other examples evidently prompted Colonel nolgate to suggest that the New Zealand Government, before it makes further expenditure on hydroelectric schemes, should seriously consider the possibilities connected with the generation of electricity from coal. The possibilities no doubt exist, but hydroelectric development in New Zealand, which is largely in advance of demand, has rendered further State development unnecessary. In fact, the coal mining industry could not wisely base any hopes on the future establishment of steam power plants. Plainly it is in a different direction that the salvation of the industry must be sought. In his address, Colonel Holdgate referred to the hydrogenation of coal and stated that in his opinion, the brown coals of New Zealand at least, would in future years be carbonised to produce oil. The coal resources of New Zealand are estimated to be somewhere near 1,631 million tons, and if an adaptable and economic carbonising process could be evolved, to convert some of the cheaper coals into oil, all suitable coal would become a fuel which has a future. It is worthy of note that common fault was noticeably absent from Colonel Holgate’s speech, namely a request for immediate Government assistance. The coal owners even definitely rejected price regulation by State intervention. The suggestion that the Government should investigate steamgenerated electricity is only a general request. Indeed, the coalmine owners must be commended for trying to do what is in these times becoming unusual: they are planning to use their own unity to tackle their own problems.

THE NEW ZEALANDERS’ FLIGHT.

Squadron - Leader McGregor’s flight to Australia, although somewhat dimmed by the dazzle of the amazing flying feats of the bigger and faster ’planes, is a performance that is memorable indeed. It is not urprising then that the critics should be lavishing such high praise on the intrepid aviators, who in their comparatively small ’plane have persevered on the long journey in the air between England and Melbourne. It is welcome news, nevertheless, that the New Zealanders have reached Australia. Out of a field of twenty starters. Squadron-Leader McGregor and his intrepid co-pilot, have flown into fifth place, and the New Zealanders may yet win the handicap prize. The flight by the New Zealanders serves to remind ns of the amazing progress that has been made in the field of aviation. It is not difficult to journey by air in well equipped airliners along the carefullycharted routes covered by established air mail services, but to have the heroic spirit of the adventurer so highly developed as to regard with not very much concern such a flight as that undertaken by the New Zealand entrants in the air race, furnishes overwhelming proof that the spirit of the pioneering days has not become deadened by the rushing life of to-day. Both New Zealand teams are making steady progress. Hence the interest that has been aroused by the impending completion of the England to Melbourne air route in tiny ’planes; performances which call for flying qualities of the highest order to overcome the immense difficulties that are strewn along the route.