A despatch has been addressed by the Shanghai Civil Administrator to the two Chinese Chambers of Commerce of Shanghai on the question of supplying the tribute rice of the south to Peking. It says that on Augustl0, the administrator received a despatch from the Governor of Kiangsu, Chen, which states that he received a Jegram dated July 27 from the Cabinet, re-transmitting an order issued by the Ministry of Finance to the following effect:
This Ministry controls the transport to Peking of 1,000,000 shth of tribute rice every year from the two provinces of Kiangsu and Chekiang, ete, etc. Upon receipt of this order,-I find that Peking is in want of rice, and a supply should be sent at once. But the staple food of the people of this province must also be considered as of great importance. Although merchants are permitted full li-betty in transporting this rice, yet some check must be observed as to the quantity so as to prevent them sending it abroad, ete. Apart from answering the Governor, I have to request your Chamber to take note and to devise methods for the proper execution of the order, in consultation with the Rice Dealers Committee.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.