(Continued.)
Jun. 6.
Our article yesterday on the soming election for the French Municipal Council has attracted to the office copies of a somewhat voluminous correspondence between a ratepayer and the French Secretariat on the subject of mos-quite prevention. The ratepayer in his letters complained of the inadequacy of the measures in operation, and, without question, justly so. And this being the case the present is obviously the time for him and others to secure pledges from those seeking the suffrages of the electors that a more vigorous policy will in future be adopted in this respect. According to a statement in one of the letters, such a policy would not militate against the principles of economy, so much a necessity of the present day, for we read that "experience in other parts of the world has shown that mosquitoes can be completely eradicated and that at no heavy cost."
One subject to which the attention of ratepayers may be directed as possibly affecting their pockets is the continued development of the Concession. Taking figures showing the position in 1918 and to-day we see some striking advances. The mileage of the highways has increased in that time by 91.2 per cent. The total length in 1918 was 58.5 kilometres, while to-day it is 70.9, and during the present year another ten kilometres will probably be added. Then in the same period foreign houses have jumped from 532 to 1,327, an increase of 149 per cent., and moreover it is understood that licences for the construction of at least another 400 houses have been issued for the present year. At the same time Chinese houses have risen in number from 10,506 to 16,214. From these figures it may be concluded that the building of these additional roads has so far proved a productive: enterprise, providing, as they have done, additional frontage for residential property. Atthesame time it has to be borne in mind that every additional kilometre of highway means a larger budget for the Public Works Department and for the Police Force, not to mention the department in charge of the mosquito prevention work to which our reader above quoted has called our attention. With such expenses thus ever on the increase, it is seen\that certain risks are incurred in development, or rather in over-development, 3 which might mean an increase in rates. Yet a development in reason is of the essence of the case and its possibilities on the most produetive lines call for examination.
One part of the Concession especially offers itself as most advantageous in this respect—what is known as the Extra-Concession which was acquired in 1914. A condition attaching to that grant of territory was that, until built upon, plots of land there remain exempt from taxation. If accordingly, there is a place where it would be to the benefit of the Concession to promote building, so as to increase revenue, it is in that extra part. A judicious planning of highways there seems accordingly within the limits of good policy but anything sug-festive of operation on the groand scale ought to be scrutinized sare-fully. A section of residents or potential politicians in the Concession in understood to favour development ata considerable rate—they would no doubt describe themselves as ultra-progressives—and perhaps in the middle of a period of seeming prosperity, such as three years ago, public opinion might have applauded them. The present, however, is not the time for anything of the kind. Due provision must, of course, be made for the growing number of residents and their need of houses, but unless this is done ona conservative basis the danger above noted will again occur.
Past events suggest that efficiency in running the Concession on the present basis of taxation ment effected in public utilities within the past two years. We have already mentioned the name of Dr. Tartois in connexion with electric light and tramways, and certainly the two retiring members who are seeking re-election afforded him whole-hearted support. The results of that campaign deserve to be recalled. The rates for electric meters were reduced fifty per cent., and as regards lighting, a new plant, which includes two Diesel engines, has been installed and has now been in operation for a few weeks. New filters were ordered, but, owing to difficulties at the point of production, were delayed. They are now ready, and when in operation will ensure an adequate margin of water supply over demand for several years to come. Last but not least five new tram cars with new trailers have been- put into service, resulting in a much needed betterment in tramway traffic. Incidentally it required no small effort to achieve that result, and ratepayers in the Concession would do well to bear in mind those who didst. They may even preserve a recollection of unlimited support contained in a series of articles which the ''North-China Daily News" was able to offer.
A supine attitude on the part of the French Municipal Council in these days would in all probability by this time have landed the ratepayers in the expenditure of a considerable amount of money to bring the public utilities to a tolerable state of efficiency, but happily that has been averted. And good work of that kind ought to call for due recognition on the part of the ratepayers to-day. The fact that the other candidates mentioned have resolved to form a group with those who worked on that other occasion seems also to constitute a good omen for their responsibility in tackling municipal questions and their acting in a like spirit. Incidentally we hold no brief for these gentlemen, but as they have come forward it is only just to point to past records and to indicate how they may be expected to act in the future. Should present reports of other can be secured, the best indication candidates be confirmed, it is pos-of which is probably the improve-sible that they may appear with
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.