To the Editor of the Sin,—Will you give me space in your valuable columns to aay a few words about the scheme recently brought forward by Mr. thy Richart and others for the education of the sons of the above class.
Tunderstand that the term middle class Chinese applies to the well-to-do merchants, bankers, shopkeepers, and compradores, ete., ete., and I am surprised to learn that the Municipal Council will recommend ratepayers to vote a considerable sum of money for the education of their sons, and also possibly suggest that grant of land be made on which to erect a school capable of c-taining some five hundred pupils. I take it that as the number of pupils is estimated at five hundred the school would be open only to the sons of Chinese living within the Settlement limits.
Lain aware that the rote of a class, who, tightly or wrongly, consider themselves more enlightened than their fellow men, will always support any scheme brought forward for, or in the name of education, however crude or badly thought out th scheme may be, and I well know the impulsive generosity of the average ratepayer who is always prepared to back up a unanimous Council in the most loyal way, and in nine cases out of ten he is right in following this lead. But there have been instances where a Council have introduce: shall Tsay, extravagances, which we passed by the ratepayers on the spur of the moment and have ever since been regretted by the majority concerned.
Tf the middle class Chinese are desire of giving their suns greater facilities for foreign education than exist at present, they not better able to pay for such a vilege than many a poor ratepayer? Ie iv right or just to tax the poor foreigner (who, owing to the increased cost of rent, wages, food, etc., finds it more difficult every day to make expenditure) for the purpose of educating the sons of well-to-do Chinese who are allowed to live in our Settlement as an act of grace or convenience Isle right or fair to employ the large amount of taxes collected from: the poorer class Chinese ('ricsha coolies, wheelbarrow coolies, ete.) in educating their more wealthy compatriots The question of a grant of Inud by the ratepayers will I trust not meet with the support of the Council or ratepayers. Wo have only to look at recent prices paid by the Council for land bought. for necessary Municipal purposes to realise the absurdity of this idea, In my humble opinion it is dusirshle that the Council be instructed and auth ined to employ any surplus funds they may have, and if necessary to money by expended on opening up new roads in our extended Settlement, thas enabling cheaper land to be utilised for building houses which can be let ut more reasonable route than those at present ruling, and in this way neutralizing to" certain extent the action of the well-to-do wealthy ' middle close" Chinese who have bought up all or most of the available build. ing site non the Bubbling Well and Yangtse poo Roads.
Tam, etc., 'A Rararaves.
3rd February.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.