To the Editor of the "Nowrn-Cmixa Dany News Sin—In your issue dated the 7th there appears a letter from a Mr. John Recano, of London, in which he appeals for nied postage stamps on Lehalf of the "Crusade of Rescue" Refages.
T cannot find his name in Debrett, neither have I been able to discover it in the Hong List, but nevertheless Mr. John Reeano may be a patriotic British subject though, to me, the name is reminiscent of my childhood's days when T was wont to purchase Hokey-Pokey at a penny a lump.
Mr, John Recano refers to the' success of his original appeal through the London "Universe." What is this? A journal or " pub Does he mention the names of the charitable institutions benefited thereby and the amounts handed over to them? Does he work unaided or has he a committee composed of persons of standing?
He goes on to say charitable institutions are able to maintain open doors by the sale of "waste" of every description but why single out used postage stamps especial? Why not a ship load of our evening papers? Mr. Recano expresses his anxious desire to gather in a second "million" for the "Crusade of Rescue." A second million of what? Stamps, coppers' or quids?
In publishing appeals for the support of public charities a duty devolves upon you to previously' satisfy yourself that the appeal is genuine. Have you any knowledge of Mr. John Recano, his previous successful appeal, the names of the: institutions to which he paid over: the proceeds, the names - of the members of his conimittee (if any), the London "Universe," the "Crusade of Rescue," and have you seen a balance sheet or other financial statement in connexion with his appeal?
Does he dispose of the used postage stamps to paper mills by weight or does he very carefully sort them out in the hope of bagging a prize?
The present appeal may be perfectly above board for all I know to the contrary, but on the meagre and unsatisfactory information supplied I make no apology for asking questions.
If used postage stamps can be used by paper mills I would suggest that sales be made to local in paper mills and the proceeds handed over to me to help to pay part of my next year's subscription to the "North-China Daily News." Charity begins at home.
Tam, ete,
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.