THE Wairarapa Age MORNING DAILY. SATURDAY, AUGUST 26, 1933. JAPAN’S TRADE CLAIMS.

Wairarapa Age, 26 August 1933, Page 4

THE Wairarapa Age MORNING DAILY. SATURDAY, AUGUST 26, 1933. JAPAN’S TRADE CLAIMS.

As a London newspaper observes in an article quoted in one of to-day's cablegrams, a very delicate situation confronts the Empire in connection with Japanese trade. Some sort of working understanding and agreement with Japan ought, however, to be perfectly feasible, provided she is prepared to face facts and deal with them on their merits. It may be hoped that 1 there is no idea, in any part of the Empire, of organising an anti-Japanese

trade boycott. On the other hand, if Japan were granted an unrestricted access to Empire markets, a situation would speedily be created from which Japan herself would have as little as the British countries concerned to hope or gain. From the standpoint of Empire countries, nothing better can be desired than a full and frank discussion of the real facts of the situation. A settlement -on equitable terms, , if Japan is prepared to co-operate ih' seeking it, should be quite possibly, though the details of such, a settlement are likely to take a good deal of working out. In the low level of working and producing costs in Japan there is a greatr difficulty which cannot readily be overcome. Talk in other countries about slave labour will not minimise this difficulty. So far at least as a considerable proportion of factory production in Japan is concerned, there, would’ appear to be good grounds for the elhim made by her representatives that her labour and other costs are, for the time at least, normal by her own standards. It is equally clear, however, that Empire countries which allowed their markets to be flooded with goods produced in these conditions would spread ruin and beggary throughout their own industrial areas. Other considerations apart, countries tlius 'stricken would soon have no market worth speaking about to offer to Japan or any other trading nation. ’ At any but the most limited view, it is as much in the interests of Japan as of ether nations that high standards of life and labour, where they exist* should be maintained. The only settlement that is possible of the questions raised between Japan and the British Empire is one providing for the regulation, of trade and for some sharing of markets. The means of effecting this regulation may afford wide scope for discussion. The need of effecting it cannot be doubted. i What has to be determined in the Immediate future is whether Japan can be induced to co-operate in seeking a reasonable solution of trade problems. Her position admittedly is made acute by an increasing pressure of population and in other ways, but great as are her needs, she cannot expect to be allowed to lay waste the industries of other countries. If history repeats itself, her problems of internal adjustment, as time goes on, will in part solve themselves by an improvement in living standards and a decline in her present rate of population increase. Japan, in any case, heavily protects her own industries and cannot in reason, object to Empire countries adopting a similar policy. It is perhaps a question whether Japan is not making the most of the present controversy over markets for textile and other goods because she finds in it a welcome means of distracting attention in some measure from her activities in Manchuria and from her defiance of the League of Nations where those activities are concerned.

CHORAL SOCIETY APPEAL.

All who heard Handel's “Messiah" performed by the Masterton Choral Society and assisting artists last year will be anxious to hear this majestic and beautiful work repeated and it is good news that the society contemplates a production of the oratorio at the end of November. The possibility of doing this is dependent, however, as is pointed out in a letter which appears to-day, upon a sufficient number of singers, particularly tenors and basses, agreeing to assist the society and to devote the necessary time to rehearsals. No doubt the talent that is needed is available and it becomes a question of “Where there's a will, there's a way." A performance of Handel's masterpiece like that given last year is splendidly worth while. The singing of both soloists and chorus on that occasion was a delight to all lovers of good music. It would be' a very great pity if another performance were made impossible by failure to muster a chorus in all respects adequate. Last year, the Municipal Hall was filled on the occasion of the production of the oratorio and no doubt it could be filled again. The issue rests with the singers and particularly with the tenors and basses.

THE BOYS’ BAND.

In itself and as a recruiting ground for the Municipal Band, to which many of its members no doubt will ultimately transfer, the Masterton Junior Band is an organisation of considerable iin]|)rtance and value and one that well deserves to be encouraged. In its performance last evening, the Boys' Band, as it is popularly called, acquitted itself in a manner highly creditable to its members and to their conductor, Mr. George Hutchinson. The band has attained a high degree of musical proficiency and there can be no doubt that its further public performances will be welcomed and most heartily appreciated. In their new uniforms, the youthful bandsmen made a smart and trim appearance and the band is in all respects one of which the town may be proud. The members of the band and their conductor are to be congratulated upon what has al-

ready been accomplished, and no doubt I will be intent on., setting still higher I standards as training and experience • extend. :