THE ADVANCING JAP.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 19810, 29 November 1919, Page 5

THE ADVANCING JAP.

PROGRESS IN THE SOUTH PACIFIC. (By J. T. MACMAHON, in the “ Daily Mail,”) The British islands of . the South Pacific will yet prove to be some of the richest commercial assets of the Empire. Unfortunately, they are 14,000 miles from the Britsh Isles, and the popular notion still exists that they are merely romantic lands under a fierce sun, the haunts of cannibal peoples. Nothing could be more absurd than this idea. Inquiry will show that they possess magnificent commercial possibilities. Millions of British money have been invested in the scientific cultivation of hundreds of thousands of acres of coconut, rubber, sugar, sisal, hemp, cocoa, coffee and tobacco, tropical products common and necessary for the food and industries of mankind. These cultivations have called into being a trade to-day worth ten millions sterling, and also a rivalry for it among many nations that must very soon make the South Pacific a zone of remarkable commercial activity. The commercial discovery of these fertile islands is due solely to _ the bravery and enterprise of the British. At one time British trade was easily in the ascendant there; to-day it is—mainly through the wax—fast losing ground. Immediately before the wax German traders were beating all comers; at present the advance of Japanese trade is most remarkable. It has already gained such a command of the whole Pacific trade, and shows such marvellous energy and enterprise, that five years hence competition with it will be futile. This Japanese grip of the Pacific trade—not worth a Japanese toothpick five years ago—is especially significant and hampering to the commercial ambitions of Australia, the direct representative of British trade and interests in the South Pacific. During tho war Japan, having men, ships, unlimited merchandise, and a free, open way in the Pacific, has made a progress which proves the enterprise of Japanese commercial abilities, while it confirms the Japanese eagerness for Pacific possessions and extensive trade. The Marshall Islands, for which Japan now bolds the mandate, offer an interesting example of Japanese trade penetration in tho Pacific. Here, twenty-five years ago, and despite German ownership, British trade began to be popular with the wealthy natives. Up to last year that trade still flourished; to-day it is ended, which means a loss of over £200,000 a year. Japanese traders are in every lagooti —smart, dapper little men who speak English, French and German—men who have completely mastered tho MJrurabajll language; whjo h'ave been trained either in England or America; who are .noted for their 4 keenness and energy; and who are, in their spare time, fphoolmasters to the intelligent Japanese trading vessels—to be found in every nook and corner of the South Pacific Islands—are fast multiplying in the Marshalls; -many more aro on the stocks in Japanese shipyards, vessels especially designed for the shallow waters of the Marshall lagoons. Jaluit, the capital of tho Marshalls group, with its splendid harbour, is one of the busiest ports to-day of the South Pacfic Islands; the harbour is constantly filled with Japanese shipA g ' line of modem, well-equipped Japanese steamers now maintains a regular monthly service between Japan and the Marshalls via the Carolines, and they are literally pouring’in Japanese manufactured trade goods for distribution throughout the whole Southern Pacific lands. Japanese emporiums, some of them on a vast scale, with innumerable smaller concerns, are increasing in the Marshalls and are spreading their branches into the British islands adjoining. Trade is brisk, and tho peculiarities of the native trade, in foods and clothing, have been, and are, so carefully studied that presently competition will be well-nigh impossible. Every article of trade in jhe Marshalls is Japanese, most attractively offered. The range extends from needles to anchors, from preserved meats and fruits to patent medicines, from sewing machines to gramophones, from biscuits to lager beer, from scents and pomades to whiskies and wines, from all classes of jewellery to nil classes of European wearing apparel. All these goods are firmly holding the native tastes. No time is to be lost in reviving British trade in tho South Pacific, Every day of indifference and neglect will mean a loss that will recoil upon the Empire and the decline of British influence and prestige in the whole Pacific.