ITEM 1 We Return the Protest. From Mr. HARA, Takeshi, Member of the Standing Committee of the Social Democratic Party - Yomiuri Hochi - 15 Dec 45. Translator: J. Wada.

Full translation:

Your letter of protest printed in this column 11 December (TN see ATIS Press Translations No. 334.) surprised us since you, yourself are one of the principal members of the Social-Democratic Party. The logical consistency with which you presented the reasons for the protest is quite enough to convince outsiders of your arguments. Moreover, your utilization of a newspaper, a public organ, is quite effective in planting in the minds of the public a lack of confidence in the Social-Democratic Party.

Is this what you intended? We can easily guess your real intentions in making such a protest. Why did you take such a way? Anyone can easily see the ill effects of such a measure. You have been our co-worker since the establishment of our party and are now one of the principal members. You ought to know better than to do such a thing, though it may be excusable for an outsider who has no connection with the Party. Did you have any ulterior motive that you should have adopted such a cold-hearted manner of protest, which a friendly outsider would not have taken?

Be that as it may, your protest is summarized in your three questions. Of course, we can reply to you as formally as you did if we wished. However, we dare not take such a course, though we know well that may deepen the misunderstanding on the part of the public. We shall give you a reply based on mutual reliance, humanitarianism and companionship, which are the fundamental conditions of democracy you earnestly advocated in your protest. We believe this is the true democratic way in argument.

Going through your letter, we find two problems. One concerns the method of the disposition of problems and the other is about our opinion in the reform of the Constitution. As for the first problem, we must reply that the standing committee is the executive organ in charge of all party affairs, irrespective of their importance. The executives organ realizes and executes that which is decided upon. Thus, the standing committee can deal with "such an important problem" as in your protest. Nevertheless, you seem to insist that the standing committee is not qualified to decide such an important problem. Of course, the committee, as a rule, cannot do more than that which is decided by the deliberative organ, but the standing committee is entrusted to function as a deliberative organ in time of emergency. The case is the same as the cabinet invested with authority for emergency actions. However, we want you to remember that we are not speaking of the Emergency Imperial Ordinance (KINKYUCHOKUREI) or the Financial Emergency Measure in our

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Constitution, which are now under re-exanination. We can see such examples in ENGLAND, where politics are most democratic.

The core of the problem lies in whether the scope of the activity of the standing committee is clear or not. The standing committee is conscious of this point. This is a matter for an organ which is to take measures concerning problems arising at every moment. It is more natural that the standing committee should deal with a problem along the lines already decided by the Congress, We shall be happy if we can discuss this kind of problem in mutual confidence in conformity with the spirit of Democracy.

ITEM 2 Voice of the People - Asahi Shimbun - 15 Dec 45. Translator: B. Ishibashi.

Summary:

A supply of three cigarettes per day us tolerable, but a brand such as NOZOMI, which is not packed, should not be distributed at all, (TOKYO) KOBIATA, Atsushi. Today, one can buy anything, provided he has enough money. Malnutrition is not a thing to be feared. However, we salary men have not the money. Our only deposits have been spent for sweet potatoes and for commodities whose prices are soaring day by day.

Day and night, we think of ways through which we can maintain the health of our family. We feel that it would be better to have our salaries raised than to put through a rice ration of 3 go per day. (TOKYO, MUDA, Kyoke-housewife).

Recently the supply of electricity has been inadequate. With a 100-watt bulb, we can hardly read a book. Furthermore, it is stopped every fourth or fifth day. Is there no means of adjusting this? SETAGAYA, WATANASE, Tetsuzo.

The use of electric stoves was encouraged by the Government the other day. Now they are being sold everywhere. I bought one and reported it to the KANTO HAIDEN ltd. They prohibited me from using it until they could come to check it over. I waited and waited, but as yet they have not come. The house opposite mine is in the same situation (KANAGAWA: KANAYAMA, Hiroshi student).

The revised hair-cutting fee is unsuitable under present conditions, and the hair washing fee is ridiculous. At this time, there is a complete shortage of soap, gas and fuel, and hair cannot be washed. It is appropriate to fix particular fees for each of our services - hair cutting, shaving and washing. (TOKYO: SAKAMOTO, Jujiro a barber)

I wonder why the authorities permitted the fee for hair cutting to be 3.90 yen. Aside from the tax of 1.30 yen, a fee of 2.60 yen is too high for our salaried men. (TOKYO, SUDO, Hideo - an employee of a company)

Is the point system for textile fabrics to be continued? If so, tickets should be allotted every year. War sufferers and the public in general cannot buy textile fabrics supplied through neighborhood associations because of the lack of points. I wonder what will become of these

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textiles. (GUMMA) (GUNMA; KANEKO, Yasuo)

The impression of housewives that they must buy commodities regardless of the price, asked is yet deeply rooted among them. The first reason for this is that the shopkeepers continue to use threatening language to the effect that they will stop the supply. The second is that housewives show too much reserve and consideration toward the clerk. The third reason is the general timidness of housewives. A freer society is desirable so that they can openly express their opinion. We hope that the Government and the people will co-operate with each other in bringing about changes so that housewives are not forced to purchase useless things or to pay exorbitant prices. (TOKYO, KOMATSU, Masao - an engineer)

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