To the Editor of the "Norr#-Cutsa DAILY News."
SiR—On page 330 of the above Report, under the heading "Public Ricshas," the statement is made that "No evidence can be found that riesha coolies are ever sys tematically trained In this connexion I wish to mention that in 1925, in compliance with a request from the Traffic Commission, I forwarded a full report of the activities of the Riesha Mission especially those in connexion with the practical instructions given in Traffic Regulations, answering ut the same time 23 questions by the Commission bearing on the same subject; in which answers T referred specially to the 16 Traffic Regulations and emphasized that] said Regulations were explained and illustrated in the Mission halls and other suitable places throughout the to ricsha men, drivers, and pullers. of all kinds of man-bouled vehicles. Along with verbal instruction, print~ ed matter supplied by the Police, distributed, but as a large ma-Sority of the men of the classes concerned are illiterate the verbal instruction is of paramount importence. Appreciation of the instructive and general work of the Mis sion has been on several occasion! expressed by the Municipal authorit-fes.
When replying to the Commission, also urged the great importance avoiding drastic measures which might reduce the already bare living (wage) of the labouring classes! Jand might lead to trouble and. serious complications, and would certainly hamper and inconvenience large proportion of the working, community, mill workers and many others who depend upon said modes transit from point to point where trams, ete. are not available and would be too expensive if they were. (This refers also to a large pro-Portion of the general public).
The Commissioner's Recommendation No. 87 read:
"That steps be taken towards the ultimate elimination of pa senger and freight men-hauled vehicles and carrying coolies within a definite period, or as soon itabie substitutes are offer-
This, carried out would a unally throw millions of men out work, and would seriously inter-fore with labour generally. Action of this nature would make Shanghai an exception in this respect to all other eastern perts from Shang-'Fai to Suez, Drastic measures such given in Recommendation 37, should be strenuously avoided, Tam, ete, Gronce Mariesox
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.