Wairarapa Daily Times [Established Over 50 Years.] THURSDAY, JANUARY 14, 1932. JAPAN AND TRADE.

Wairarapa Daily Times, 14 January 1932, Page 4

Wairarapa Daily Times [Established Over 50 Years.] THURSDAY, JANUARY 14, 1932. JAPAN AND TRADE.

There has been much written, ancl a great quantity of vague discussion by politicians and commercial men of New Zealand regarding the potentialities of the great unexploited markets of the East. Of outside business conditions, particularly with regard to Eastern trade, the average New Zealander remains lamentably ignorant. The Japanese are, however, quite the opposite, and all, from the boy just entering upon his career, to the head of an old-established firm, are encouraged in every possible way to learn everything there is to know of foreign lands, not only with reference to commerce, but of the living, taste, manners, and customs of the nations. As long as 40 years ago Japan recognised the importance of international trade, and had taken steps to educate her people in matters relating thereto. With this laudable end in view a Commercial Museum was established at Osaka, the commercial and industrial metropolis of Japan. This trade institute, despite the fact that the buildings and offices were totally destroyed by, and the whole of the then collection lost, in the famous conflagration in July, 1908, is now a thriving concern, and the neople of Japan may obtain almost immediately last-minute information relating to oversea markets

and foreign business. The museum, too, carries out investigations and researches, and has officials stationed abroad obtaining data for trade in distant lands. These also introduce Japanese firms to those outside the country, or vice versa. They make propaganda concerning Japan's commodities, investigate economic conditions thoroughly, and even give every assistance to Japanese tourists visiting strange countries, besides acting as special correspondents and supplying latest information to local manufacturers and Japanese business men. There is also in connection with this institution a library of economic data for public persual and foreign publications on commerce and industry such as newspapers, magazines, year books, repoits, etc., are collected and are easy of access. The museum also collects specimens and samples, to say nothing of raw materials and commodities and full and concise details together with explanatory matter are readily supplied to any inquirer.