months, effectively dealing with the whole of the licences within a period of two years from the date of its incepti then this committee, realizing administrative difficulties call for time for readjustment and settlement, ex-prestes its belief that such action on the part of the Council would find favour and support among that large section of the ratepayers and community of Shanghai which earnestly desires to ce-operate with the and Chinese governments in their efforts to accomplish the: Opium reform. At the same time, this committee would urge upon the Gonncil the policy of accelerating the closing of these houses with a view to the entire abolition of the opium habit from Shanghai, should administrative difficulties prove of easier solution than now seems possible, At the same time, my Committes, being chiefly concerned with the abolition of the opium habit from the moral standpoint, wishes it to be understood that they are unable to commit themselves to the approval of any such reforaa on the part of the Shanghai Municial Council being made conditional upon the attitude of the Chinese Government or its officials, They desire to see this reform accomplished us speedily and effectively as possible for its own sake and also for the good name of this settlement. have to thank you for the kind consideration which the il hae' given to the views of this Committee, T have the honour to be, Your obedient servant, I beg to remain, Sir, W. Newson Brrrox.
Your obedient servant, W. Nesow Brrtox Chairman of the Executive Committee of the Shanghai Missionary Association, Chairman of the, Executive Committee of W. E. Leveson the Shanghai Mitsionary Association.
Council, W. E. Levasox, Ena.. nicipal Council.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.