There considerations do not apply with such force to sheep or goats, which are produced in vast numbers in the country to the south of Shanghai, whilst pigs, as is well Known, ate reared wherever there is 4 hovel substantial enough to shelter a fa To sum up, whilst] undoubtedly there is a shortage of beef, and to a slight extent of motion, food in general is as abundant as ever and vegetables and cereals are available in ample quantity. It would appear, indeed, that the advanced price in the case of rice is due less to a shortage of supplies than to the. inevitable profiteering which, in China, as in other countries, is indulged' and when the' opportunity arises. 'A limiting factor s0 the profiteer is concerned lies in the insecurity" of property beyond the Voundaries of the foreign Settlements, which is the reason why the Settlements at the present time are fairly well gorged with stocks of vice. An assurance has been given that the Council is watching situation with solicitude and is quite ready to put into force further emergency measures should such be necessary, but at the present time there is no cause to apprehend a serious shortage in the food supply.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.