JAPANESE TRADE

Waipa Post, Volume 48, Issue 3479, 14 June 1934, Page 6

JAPANESE TRADE

THE AUSTRALIAN MISSION. COMMENT IN LONDON. London, May 22. Commenting on Mr. Latham's visit to Japan, the Economist says: — "It is a happy coincidente for the British Comomhwealth that at the moment when Anglo-Japanese relations are under an unprecedented strain a marked improvement in the relations between Japan and Australia s'hould be registered publicly. The strange part is that this improvement began to declare itself when Japan ran amuck in 1931 by occupying Manchuria. The Japanese tiger's spring was unexpectedly hailed in Australia with a sigh of relief—Australians argued that 'if he has sprung at China that would keep him busy and' divert him from springing at them.' A detached observer may question whether this Australian reaction was either good morals or good statesmanship, but it was an unmistakable fact that has since been reinforced by the more reputable considerations of trade. Japan has latterly become an increasingly good customer for Australian exports—the balance of trade is heavily in Australia's favour, and the Japanese are likely to demand a quid pro quo. The moral is obvious and unpleasant for us, but after our declared policy oi economic self-sufficiency can we complain?"