If the Senator will permit me to say so. had the State Department said to our friends in Japanand I use that word advisedly. because we have many problems in the Pacific Basin which must be worked out togetherthat there exists in the United States a critical situation which adversely affects the tuna industry and its labor. and that what is sought is merely temporary legislation which will continue until April 1 of next year. while the question can be studied by the Tariff Commission and can be considered by the committees of Congress and the State Department. I believe. knowing the Japanese people as I think I do. the State Department would have received a favorable response. But when the State Department takes a position in which apparently the views of the American industry and of American labor are not adequately represented to the Government and the people of Japan. it is quite understandable that there should be some misunderstanding. The people of Japan who realize the great sacrifices which the American people have made during the whole period of the occupation. and even now. in furnishing the defense of Japan against possible invasion by the Soviet Union or Communist China are broadminded enough and fairminded enough to understand the plight of the tuna industry on the west coast and that we are merely asking for time to work out the problem. I am sure that if the situation had been properly presented to them. we would not be faced with what I must. with all due respect for the State Department. say are silly statements. to the effect that this proposal is comparable to the Exclusion Act. because. of course. it is no such thing whatever.
Keywords matched
Exclusion Act