GREATER EAST ASIA

Waikato Times, Volume 128, Issue 21356, 26 February 1941, Page 5

GREATER EAST ASIA

MIGRATION FOR ASIATICS NAVAL COUNTER-MEASURES POSITION OF NEW ZEALAND (United Press Assn.--Elec. Tel. Copyright) TOKIO, Feb. 25 In his speech in the Diet, Mr Matsuoka, Foreign Minister, said his view of Oceania did not include Australia, New Zealand and the Philippines. He added that at present he was without a definite programme relative to the establisnment of a greater East Asia co - piosperity sphere. He hoped to obtain Oceania as a migration region for Asiatics through an understanding with the European and American peoples. In this connection M~ Matsuoka recalled his individual efforts with The Hague Government relative to New Guinea, after Japan’s withdrawal from the League of Nations, also his discussions relative to Oceania as a whole with President Wilson after America’s entry into the Great War. Mr Matsuoka also informed members of Parliament that even now he was taking every opportunity to emphasise his viewpoint to the European and American intelligentsia and statesmen. Criticism of America Vice-Admiral Toyada stated before a committee of the Japanese House of Representatives that the Guam appropriation represented American military preparations to encircle Japan. However, he said, "the Japanese Navy is not gravely menaced—it has already decided on the proper counter-measures.” Mr Ohashi, vice - Minister of Foreign Affairs, replying to questions in the House said: “There is no reason why Britain and the United Slates should object to Japan’s mediation in the Indo-China-Thai-land dispute or to the Japan-Nether-lands East Indies trade negotiations. In this respect the Japanese Government will closely watch British and American moves.” Mr Matsuoka said the Japan-Indo-China trade negotiations were making the anticipated progress in spite of their “delicate connection” with the Thailand-Indo-China peace conference, on account of both negotiations being simultaneously conducted in Tokio. He said a settlement had been reached on the question of the supply of Indo-Chinese rice to Japan.