Asian wars and U. S. business

THE SPOTLIGHT was on the current r Southeast fuia crisis and its effect on the supply of hardwood products at the l2th annual Imported Hardwood Products Association convention as members from all parts of the United States analyzed their huge stake in the future of the nations of the Far East.

The three-day session, which opened February B, featured an outstanding roster of speakers in world trade. It was probably the lead-ofi talk by mood of the entire meeting.

International power politics and its affect on hardwood products supply dominates IHPA annual. lmportant proposals by Japanese ConsulGeneral voiced at meeting.

Shimanouchi made it plain that his country considered United States involvement in Vietnam and Southeast Asia "disproportionate," but nonetheless crucial to the security and economic progres.s of the region.

The Consul General also disclosed that Japan, the fourth largest economy in the world after the United States, Russia and West Germany, is not only ready, but willing to broaden its role to accomplish security, stability and peaceful progress in Asia.

To accomplish this aim Japan proposes wider political consultation arrd cooperation among Asian countries, more efiective selfhelp and regional cooperation on Asian development problems, and closer cooperation throughout the Pacific Area in support of Asian regional development and common Asian-Pacific goals, he explained.

There has been growing recognition by world observers that Japan, a nation that just lO0 years ago was struggling in an abyss of feudalism like many of its Asian neighbors today, is the logical choice to lead the way in developing the backward nations of Asia and helping them achieve 20th century status.

Collins. (9) Ev and Mary Ellen Galbraith. (10) C. ltoh's Jackie lchihashi. (11) Ted Allen of Evans. Arnold Pantus, Sabine Allen, and Bill Suiter, Evans Products. (12) Jack Baser, Gunter Silmar, Silmarco International, East Asiatic's Mogens Silleman and Jack Butler of States Lines. (13) Ethet and Jerry Linares and sis-in-law Billie Hasty. (14) The Gosherts, F. S. and Millicent, and Andersons, Ed and Helen. (l5l uWestern States Plywood's Len and Vicki Crofoot. (16) Rainer Trading's Hans and Gisela Rainer. (17) IHPA's Charlie Schmitt and Bronson Lewis of APA. Tacoma. (18) 0utgoing president Jack Baser, nef prexy Henry Fulcher, Jr. of Dallas, Mr. and Mrs. Sol Kaplan and American International's Frank Framoton. (19) Walt Jennison of Evans Products. 00) IHPA counsel Myron Solter and E. G. Re,eves of Washinston. D.C. Protectionist legislation was also discussed. '

"The American effort in Vietnam and the Japanese effort to promote Asian solidarity and cooperation are motivated by the same high objective-to establish con' ditions of peace and stability in Asia. Thc Iuture of Japanese-American relations rests on how well our countries work together in this broad realm of regional and global importance," he concluded.

The 160 import, shipping and trading company executives attendir-rg were also given insight into the effects of Britain's recent devaluation of the pound and its subsequent efiect on this country's im' porters by Los Angeles banker I. Barry Thompson.

This country's growing balance of payments deficit and subsequent protectionist mood of the 90th Congress was tagged thc number one problem facing importers to' day by the USB international v.p.

Rounding out the program were talks by Larry Flahive, executive v.p., building products group, of Evans Products Co..

IHPA attorney Myron Solter of Washington, D.C., and customs specialists George Tuttle of San Francisco and Hadley S. King of New York.

On the final day, it was play-golf-day at the Bermuda Dunes Golf Country Club at Palm Springs. Jim Craig walked ofi with low gross honors as George Fredrickson nabbed low net scoring. Second low net u'as shared by Jim Todd and American International's Frank Frampton.

The highly successful l2th Annual concluded with a Saturday night social and dinrr"r dance. she