26th May. In the leading article of our issue of of the 12th instant, when reviewing Mr. Rocher's admirable "Report on the Trade of Shanghai," we called attention to the Commissioner's remarks regarding the serious condition of the Silk Trade. It will be remembered that Mr. Rocher points out the results brought about by
increased weight of cocoons necessary the ravages of disease, such as the to produce a given weight of Raw Silk, and the closing of fourteen out of twenty-five steam filatures, and that he warns his readers that "diseases of various kinds are permeating the silk districts to such an extent that those best qualified to form an opinion look upon the extinction of the industry as a question of time only, if strong and early action is not taken." As might have been expected from a man of his calibre, Mr. Rocher has not been content with pointing out the evil,
check it. In the Chung-wai Joh-pao but has already taken the first step to (Universal Gazette) of the 5th inst., appeared a letter addressed by him to the Viceroy upon this subject, and in another column we give a translation of the document. It will be observed that Mr. Rocher has not considered it necessary to occupy the Viceroy's time by advancing proofs of what is universally admitted. He simply. calls attention to the progress of the disease and the necessity of coping with it; points to France and Italy as examples of what can be done, and suggests as remedies, first, the study of the extent of the disease, and second the teaching of Chinese breeders how to select healthy eggs. Joint action between the two provinces of Kiangsu and Chekiang, with a nursery established in each under foreign supervision, is all that is necessary—given a friendly attitude on the part of officials and people—to bring the industry once more into a healthy condition. The only pecuniary assistance Mr. Rocher asks for is the modest sum of Tls. 6,000 a year for three years, from each of the two provinces. We are glad to learn that the Viceroy has at once acceded to the Commissioner's proposals, and that the money is forthcoming. We can be sure it will be spent in practical work, and that Mr. Rocher will see to it that not a cent will be wasted. We call particular attention to the following sentence in Mr. Rocher's letter to the Viceroy: "It is not proposed to solicit financial support from merchants and growers, because firstly, the trade is sufficiently taxed already and further taxation would increase the harm; and secondly, because taxing merchants and growers would at first make them suspicious, and provoke their ill-will instead of
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.