JAPAN AND THE WORLD [To the Editor of THE SPECTATOR.]
Slit,—The intensity of the competition which producers of manufactured goods throughout the Empire are now facing, from their ruthless rivals in Japan; has its value in stimulating increased efficiency at home in every 'phase of production and marketing. Nobody would -for a moment suggest that if our manufacturers were slack or purblind, and refused to recognize the modern requirements of their traditional markets, they would deserve consideration and protection.
But when the advocates of unrestricted free trade point to the " simplicity of the Japanese worker's needs " (and his even more impressive simplicity in putting up with standards of wages and living conditions which the British worker would scornfully and justifiably reject) as the explana- tion of Japan's success in penetrating our markets, and imply that we should make the best of the situation by following the Japanese plan, then it is time they were awakened.
Neither British manufacturers nor British operatives desire or are at all likely to consent to meet the exploitation of Japanese workers by comparable exploitation here at home, and the sooner the whole-hog Free Trader recognizes the fact, the better. Our manufacturers are entitled to protection from unrestricted Oriental competition for the plain reason that they desire to do what is right by their workers : that is to say, pay them decently for a fair day's work, which they cannot hope to do in the face of such relentless under-cutting as faces them today.—Yours faithfully,
25-Victoria Street, London, S. W.1. Jonas R. REMER.
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