The temporary suspension of exporte of copper, remarks the "Mainichi," involves a question even more important than that of the closing of the copper mines and refineries pending a recovery in demand, for it means a stoppage of Japan's gold production as Most of Japan's gold is contained in the copper ore, the Hidachi copper mine, owned by Mr. Kuhara, yielding the largest percentage, the Ashio and Kosaka copper mines coming next. The Sado gold mine produces much less gold than the Hidachi copper mine. The question arises, therefore, whether, with such a demand for gold as alway exists in Japan, the country cen afford to have the copper mines closed because copper does not happen to be paying. The war which has reduced the demand fo-copper has increased that for gol Copper mine owners, however, can: not keep on working at a loss without being ruined. Hence the theory that the Government should come to the rescue. The Governmeat, however, does not appear to at the matter in the same light. If the copper and gold together cann st pay the cost of production, th>y
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.