To aid in the relief of China, in her present financial embarrassment, Sir Robert Hart has suggested the establishment of a government lottery. The idea is not a hew one, for other governments have resorted to similar means to tide over financial difficulties, Tf there is to be any lottery at all in China, it had as well, be conducted in the interest of the government as in the interest of a few, and if a government lottery should be' established and placed under the super vision of Sir Robert Hart, the public treasury and not that of a few individuals would ho enriched, no benefit from such, although the peopl of Obiun invest large sums of money every month to win the prizes.
"Afer long perseversnee the foreigners at Shanglai finally suecerded in dri off the settlement all Inttery companies, and while this was a gain in favour of higher morality, it, however, seems not te be appreciated by certain Chinese officials in thix province, who have sanctioned the establishment of a lottery, now in full operation, just over the boundary of the settlement.
Such " disregard of the sentiment of foreigners at this port is xm argument favour of Sir Robert's scheme und should lead to an early realisation of it.
Tf the people will invest their money in lottery tickers, much of the immorality of euch ventures would be corrected by a government lottery under the direction of Sir Robert Hart.
Osserver.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.