"Nonrr-Grina Datuy News."
Sin,—In the Municipal (gazette of "the 12th ultimo the Council invited an expression of public opinion about a suggestion made by Mr. T. H. U, a's Wontp-samp Bioop Mix "The most searching Tlooe Cleanser that science and medical skill have brought to light." Sufferers from Scrofula, Scurry, Eczema, Bad Legs. Skin and Blood Diseases, Pimples. and Sores of any kind are solicited to give it atrial to test its value. Thousands of wonderful cures have been effected by it.
Sold everywhere at 2s. 9d. per bottle Beware of worthless imitations "ud Aldridge, strongly endorsed by the Electricity Committee, that the Council, in order to increase the consumption of electric light with the International Foreign Settlement, should undertake the sale of electric metallic filament lamps to consumers practically at cost price.
We do not know whether the resolation of the Ratepayers in January 1904 alluded to referred to the sale electric fittings only. Anyhow, as far as we remember, the spirit of the resolution was that the Council should. discontinue trading in electrical material altogether as well ax doing private installation work. Bat even assuming that it referred to fittings only and that it would not be against the reso tion if the Council sells lamps to consumers at cost price, are Mr. Aldridge and the members of the Electricity Committee sure that what they propose will have the desired effect? They overlook one very important point, that not only amongst the Chinese, but also amongst the Foreign con: sumers there is a large class of people who go by cheapness only and wil at the same time more expensive article, This is p larly marked in the nse of Chinese, What Mr. \ridge says about the sale of inferior carbon filament lamps settlement ix perfectly true.
But the i these lamps hus been pointed purchasers over over again firms trading in electrical material, Bat have thes arguments ever had effort? Qu the conteers. the lamps have driven unt to very large extent the better lumps, although in the cave of carbon filament Jamps the slifference in cost amounts to few candareens per lamp How will it be in the ease of metallic filament lamps costing <ay ads 1.35 each against say thirty candareens of an ordinary carbon filament lamp! Have Mr it Mdridge and the Blectricit mittee further considered. that. electrical material at that commissions cers low point and that to aconsnmer, who bac made up hin mind to go in for metallic filament Inmips which are expensive anyhow, it makes very little difference whether he pays per lamp about ten candareens amore or less, especially ae this small savin Mr. Aldridge and the mittee also do vot cor filament lamps are stil anda new industes about grhich there ance to be a keen international competition. It may happen that a cheaper lamp is brought out to-morrow which suits Shanghai requirements better than the present metallic filament lamps and " considerable number of lamps are left on the hands of the Council. Will the Council sell these amps at a loss? Mr. Aldridge speaks of a rent of " small transformer for say 25 lamps, costing Taels 14.—fat 18 candareens per month. How does this compare with the li's charge of 50 candareens per month for a meter for 25 lamps, costing about Tsels 13.—, whilst will be rented by hich is compuleury for every consumer,
limited umber of consumers only And last bnt not least, does Mr. Aldridge realize that if his suggestion ix carried out a grave injustice will be done to local firms trading in electrical material? Mr, Aldridge knows very well that onr'firm, for instance, hax been working for more than a year at the introduction of metallic slament amps into Shanghai and carried out number of experiments which cost a good deal of work and money, against which we reasonably expect a retarn. We are sure that other firms are in a similar position. A good many orders for metallic tment lamps, transformers, ete., are also sure to have already been sent to Earope. Are Mr. Aldridge and the Council prepared to take over these orders and indemnify the firms for the expenses they had? It would be different if by the sale of lamps by the Connell the general public would benefit 1 This, however, will case, a8 we have shown at the beginning,.\t the very least certain notice should be given by the Council.
We have not the slightest doubt that both Mr. AMridge and the Electricity Committee have been prompted by the best intentions, bat f]apparently they have not considered proposal thoroughly enough. our opinion, a hotter course ix if Council has a short pamphlet both in English and Chinew, which the wlvantages and drawbacks of the nis Kinds and qualities of lange Are set 1 to have it distributes amongst net intending conanmuers. phlet the names: of firms be ventional, who, in consideration of such recommendation, undertake to sell best quality lamps The rent, ax well as the letting transformers on hire or on the purchase and hire system, the Connsil may safely leave to competition, which, ix, all, the Iwst and healthiest regulator of ynestions of this kind.
We are, ete., Boonwetsrer & (0, THE OPIUM TRAFFIC, To the Editor of the ~Nonte-Cnuwa Dalny News, it is astonishing ho delight to speak ina deprecatory manner nf China's supreme effort to cast off the shackles before they have eaten through the limbs (I they bind in bondage, and such a bondage from which there can be no release except by the assistance of superior physical force. The tyrant and enslaver "Opium" knows no moral restraint, piteous and heartrending pleading for the poverty stricken wife and family, the loss of honour, intellect and position are unheeded. all must go to satisfy the appetite of this unrelenting voracious enslaver '<Opiem: Devil" "Sayeth the
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.