T

HE

ECONOMIC

ORDER LIBERTY

COMPA SLOGAN THAT CONTRADICTS ITSELF!

I DONT SEE WHERE YOU'LL EVER GET WITH IT!^

JOE:" THAT'S ONLY ONE OF THE THINGS

YOU DON'T SEE, MATE."

THE HONGKONG TELEGRAPH. SATURDAY, JUNE 19, 1948.

CONFLICT OF IDEALS

M

ORDER

OBEDIENCE

KOMM

(Copyright is All Countries)

Can The Japanese Become Democratic?

old idea that it was the Occupation, practically impossible, or were

ITALY EXPECTS A FLOOD OF TOURISTS

By NORMAN MONTELLIER

(United Press Staff Correspondent)

DOME, June 18.- Private tourist, ngencies i

checking backlog orders from British, American, French and Swiss citizens predict that' Italy's tourist influx for 1948 would be double that of 1947, *·

The Italian Government has made no effort to conceal its hope that enough foreign tourists] will pour enough hard money into Haly this year to help keep the nation's economy in line.

There was a time when tourists spent enough here to keep Italy's export-import balance almost even. But private tourist agen- cles are warning the Government that too much red tape, bureaucratic slowness and other small irritations

Ace expected flood- tide from materialising in 1948,

Italy's all-out effort to attract the free- spending tourist was marked by one hard-headed business calculation-that the Government is neglecting to advertise the "non-cultural" spots, which Italian impresarios maintain could woo many people away from Paris night life.

extent

This authoritarian method of con- lion; they are all to some trol unt up-tringing has been going competent 10 lead and organise,

training in Japan for, quite literally, cen- while their whole

from turlos. How yey gravely it must boyhood has been on authoritarian have affected the faculty of reason lines. It is, of course, true that at ing must be obvious.

people, the resent time

this

particular from the cradle to the grave, are element is discredited and humiliat actively discouraged from using the power of reasoning-the one power that distinguishes men from brutes that their abilly, to think must be seriously impaired,

Pd. But this will not necessarily endure, while the existing economie confusion and distress affords them ample opportunities of

encouraging discontent with "democracy,"

and urging the return to former methods of government.

the Japanese wiki for "Demueracy,'

settled all 2421 almost hopeless task But as it has not for any European to try and their extremely complicated understand the Japanese has problems overnight, many are become largely modified through getting dangerously tired of it. the contacts of war-(strange A general election is held, and irony indeed!)which have a certain political party comes aroused a greater interest in to power. In a matter of days is clear these remarkable people. Never- --unless some striking bill his theless there can be no question been passed or some spectacular that they stil remain, to some reform accomplished, there will

It is extremely interesting to read, extent, a mystery to

in the Press in this connection, the views of 2 very appear articles large number of travellers and allirming that the Government work. Political Justire, published in support, or ot

William Godwin. In his famous dwellers in the Far East. Those is no good, and that the Minis- 1793-one hundred and fifty whose work or occupation com ters' speeches pre vague, pels residence in, for example, meaningless and impractical; Burma, Siam and China do very soon after a demand will feel after

Lime. FL

that start for resignation and an- they

less other election. count upon certain responses

can

more

{*

it on one side in favour of some- thing else. It is all the more

ago-he writes:

These Impresarios sold the government had budgeted 60,000,000 lire, or about 100,000 U.S. dollars, to tell foreigners what Italy had to offer the tourists. Besides claiming that this was insignificant in today's

advertising world, the objectors said that none of the

of the money was rarmarked for anything except the known museums and cultural places thint every guide book lists, Ilations said somebody should try to tell the rest of the world that Roine. Milan, Florence and Naples, on well every major centre depending tourist trade, can, match Paris night life and thus Increase tourist trade by hiring more people who are look- ing for other entertainment besides sighseeing.

BUSİNESS PICKS UP

13

on

TOURIST bureau in Home said that since the Italian election re- sults were announced, requests from tourists have picked up stendily. It said that hotel accommodation was difficult to arrange only in Milan and Venlee, where rooms are traditionally scarce and conditions

11

YOUR WIFE AND CHILDREN ARE ACCUSTOMED TO DEPEND UPON YOU

YOU DEPEND ON YOUR

EARNING POWER

HOW MUCH IS THIS INSURED FOR?

Enquire today from

THE

MANUFACTURERS LIFE

HEAD OFFICE

Tel. 34156

34157

INSURANCE COMPANY

(Established 1807)

'TORONTO, CANADA

• HONGKONG-WINDSOR HOUSE,

E. J. R. MITCHELL, Manager for South China.

The SINCERE Co Ltd.

HONGKONG'S GRE PARTMENT STORE

FRESHLY EQUIPPED.

are aggravated by the current hou- FOR YOUR SPORTS REQUIREMENTS

sing shortage.

was

one

This group would undoubtedly ind least strong syin- years pathisers among the victims of the

The bureau pointed out purge in the business and interesting change in Ralian habits. educational classes. Inévitably il Whereas tourists before the war "Whenever government assumes dealt with the leaders, particularly found there was a special price for to delive us from the trouble of the business circles, and it has hotels for them, while a lower price thinking for ourselves, the

lo effect In the only left embittered groups deprived of

oft-senson consequences it produces are those power but not of influence.

period, all hotels have only Imbecility.

brice now all the year round. ...le that in any degree consigns another the task of dictating his In addition to these who look inore This bureau, which ia American, opinions and his conduct, will or less longingly to the past. there estimated that an American couple cease to enquire for himself, or are the would-be totalitarian leades visiting Italy this year wil spend bis enquies will be languld and of the future, determined to impose from US$15 to $20 Д day ол {L Inanimate....Such beings are the the mental serfdom of Communism complete first-class trip. Economy- mere dwarfs and mockery of men on the nation. Though few in num-minded persons can cut that in hair, ber, they are well-organised; they The estimate includes tips, hotels, (Book VÌ, Ch. 1.J re also extremely. active in the

Irnusportation, etc.

of torpor and Past History and reactions of the, people of their territory to various stimuli. But this is by no NOW, this is old, to say the means always the case where lenst of it. It is uncommonly the Japanese are concerned, like the child with a new toy who often seem to uct in a man who quickly tires of it and casts ner completely unexpected and unforeseen. This unexpected ness, which sometimes mani- odd when one considers the fests itself in acts of impulsive remarkable power that the irresponsibility. largely ac counts for a criticism of their behaviour which is often heard that it seems to be curiously childish and immature,

Good Example

Japanese indubitably possess_of_ sticking to things of wonderful patience, of perseverance and of concentration.

10

By Francis J. Horner

mental im-

It is in the past history of the It is just this dictation that the propanation of those fat-sounding Japanese people that we must Japanese have been subjected to for promises of the Marxist millennium, look if we are to find a clue to hundreds of yours. Is it surprising so fatally attractive to the intellec- this curious characteristic of therefde, if at Himes and in certain fually indolent. "childishness."

ways they show Looking back down the centuries maturity, childish lack of reason- Surrounded then, as the Japanese THERE is certainly some truth at Japan's social organisation and ing? And this indicates the extreme people are, with so much temptation; in this criticism. A good forms of national government, it is complexity of the problem that how terribly easy it can be for them example of this childishness was impossible not in be struck by a confronts those who are trying to to slip back Into the old paths of reported during the war when salient feature that is as evident in introduce democratic' methods into docile acceptance of authority-to

the family circle as it is that of the in the large cities-and pre- community and of the whole state the country. For surely the very Rive way to the specious propaganda sumably in the towns also, the

10 essence of democracy is the ability of those who, national flags of the Allies, do, of fenule to male, of alf to the to think freely and intelligently, right or the left, would lead notably the Union Jack and the would hynne dream of criticising and encourage independent reason-

of offletal authority. Rarely together with the will to cultivate back to intellectual slavery. Stars and Stripes were painted or questioning that voice, even were ing, examination and decision. on the pavement and even on t representative us low in the tramlines, 80

bierarchical seate thit the

as the village policeman or headman; for that

_the

subservience

of younger

the

populace might get a kick from volee was in fact regarded as being

trending them underfoot" the Emperor himself. Dummy figures were also sel.

up, crude representations of Winston Churchill and Presi

Education

A

Such thoughts as these compel us to realise that the work of establish Ing in Japan a democratic govern ment on a firm basis must be matter of years. At the same time SIMILAR authoritarian mechan- it must never be forgotten that those famous personalities, dressed in

ism was in use throughout the will be years full of

peril. with Allied uniform and labelled to educational world. Prior to the Meijl enemies both within and without.

Restoration (1868) such education

dent Roosevelt and other

that such methods

tion of the public.

the have

been

af

The

whether towards the

therm

Prices have changed little from last year, but some food costs.are.up.. Hotels have held the same, t room with bath in a leading hotel running between 1,500 and 2,000 lire per day. In a tourist centre like San Remo, on the Italian Riviera, a week in a cost about 27,000 lire or about $50 good hotel, meals included, would for one person, Venice is more ex- pensive, while Florence is cheaper. Home and Milan are in the average range

FOOD SITUATION ・・

TOURISTS this year will ind the food situation in Italy better than ever: For those who can afford to buy, food of all kinds a plentiful, There prc some instances exorbitant prices, however, such as fundamental task then, that bananas, now priced at 200 lire caclı, the Allied Occupation must face is or about 30 cents U.S. Oranges are that of teaching and encouraging the up to 220 lire per kilo, or 35 cents Japanese people to use their mental rest

for two pounds. An excellent faculties, to learn how to

restaurant meal, with wine, coffee reason, how to think for themselves.

and dessert included, today costs from 1,200 to 2,000 lire per person, depending on the range of delicacies selected.

Slow Business

Tipping is still the problem it E responsibility for this will, of waiters try for the most they can always was in Italy. Porters and course, fall primarily on those get. Restaurant lack on a service

at

prices ure ire

prevent any mistaken identifi- as existed was almost wholly in the cation, and were the recipients hands of the Buddhist priesthood. To start with, there is this nuturat who are carrying out the educational charge ranging from 10 to 20 percent of many a hearty clout from Largely owing to Chinese influence, intellectual Indolence among the reforms at present taking place in on all bills, nitd it is seldom necessary patriotic citizens ! One would the authority of and the respect due hardly expect such behaviour to the teacher was almost as great mass of the people induced by the Japan. That this must be a slow to add more than about eight percent

as that In Fegard to one's her, pernicious authoritarianism of family business needs no emphasis, and it and brand is plentiful but

for the walter. Liquor

of any kind from adults of Western nations; After the Restoration, when the and national control over so pro- will take more than one generation high. neither, indeed, would it occur government was organising itself on longed a period. It is no easy mat of students before results will be- per

Good Scotch costs 800 to the minds of Western rulers European models, the educational ter to overcome mental habits that come evident. But this should not American

drink, or roughly $1.50. syslem

from Frant, of through inken was

ican cigarettes

be

on sale WELL rendered hereditary be a source of discouragement, for in all government us these reason for the choice being

tobacco shops, might stimulate patriotism! It all Western systems, that of the obedience to external aulherity.

generations

pass/'re the Japanese are ne anxious to learn black market vendors. The price is eliminating the need to look for is, of course, true that even in French was the most cenu:alised.

as any people in the world. Japan they would appeal only and universal education, the

With the

adoption of compulsory

fixed at the present time at 350 lire to a certain, though large, sec- found respeel paid to the pro-

Yet, in spite of the difficulties and per package of 20. Some black teacher Then the problem of overcoming problems that

market sources are trying confront Japan

to

close up became somewhat modified, but it such mental indolence is made more present, despite the harm that has but the buyer is never certain they stocks by offering cigarettes at 300 still exercised Rn immense in dimeult by those eneinies fluence, and particularly on

within unquestionably been done to the are real or counterfeit, There is, however, a general was that generally in use right totalitarian lines, and who can con- try will evolve a government of a virtually gone. For a tourist wishing

the referted to above-leaders of pre- intellectual life of the nation, I am method of teaching. This tendency among the Japanese to the outbreak of war.

up war days accustomed to think along personally convinced that the coun-

The black market in currency In which is similarly symptomatic was expected to

Pupil

ndently rely on a certain following real democralle nature.

It of the immature mentality-the question all that was told him by We have only to think of that very uncy characteristic of either Eng-la 507 iire to one U.S. dollar. The probably be nothing like the demo-cheques, the official bank price today to change dollars or travellers craving to sample or experience his teacher. For a student to query large body of 'demobilised and dis- land or the U.S.A. As each of these black market offers 570 to 575. Here. anything new, the tremendous lecturer was

the authority of his professor or gruntled military and naval officers, has developed its own keenness with which they will who did co-and there were

unheard of. Those particularly the former. The

vory majority

too, the tourist must be on guard take it up, and the rapidity with few-would be regarded which they will get bored with stactory," or tainted with "dan families; they joined the army as a exmmet some very novel and unex-outright change it for a wad of

us "un-

Japan; and we may confidently @gainst counterfeit

money or of a packet of it and cast it on one side, unless with the Weston heresy of "indivi- the carrying on of a family tradition they may

Berous thoughts," or contaminated career, which was for many of them pected results! But, hoever odd currency to

be, they will.

nowspaper being

wrapped up in a few Indeed, not only in extending over, hundreds of years. rather the

Japanese, hold the possibility, or

bills.

The artistry of the money- regard to school-life but to life in They have been

probability, of per- changer in making a "switch" ke general, the whole raison-d'etre of a world, most of them in the prime to be over-critical because of Japan's few of the recently "bilked" visitors

thrown on the manence, and it would be a misinko

this is worth paying to see, but Japanese might be parodied.

of life, without jobs and deprived of democratic development does not their pensions; they are, moreover, necessarily

appreciated the forbidden to hold any official post- Western models!

conform to that of demonstration at the cost of their

bankroll.

It gives almost immediate re- dualism"I sults of the kind expected.

The

accept

method

In the world of politics, the Anme phenomena are observe

to bo

"His not to treason why,"

at the beginning of

Ills but to live and diel"

Are married men

will

particular

vast with

type of democratic rule, so

to Rome

.

have

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are

requested to submit copy for display advertising in the "Telegraph" not later than noon on the day before publication.

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