The following important correspon dence appeared ix the chief Chinese news. sociation in respect of the selection of an Advisory Committee to the Municipal papers a few days ago, indicating that the conduct of the Chinese Ratepayers' As-
Council hes caused displeasure to certain important Street Unions.
The Amalgamated Association Street Unions has received a letter from the Foochow Road and other Street Unions on the subject o! the Chinese Advisory Committee Committee. Sixteen months have elapsed since we commenced the negotiations. Although we have gained an inch of ground" when we aimed at "'one foot" yet we have to the Shanghai Municipal Coun -|now found the ladder by which we cil and making suggestions to can climb up the hall with which remedy the situation.
As the mat-we should be satisfied. We have for seriously concerns the rights 0! since daily prayed that the Chin-representation of Chinese rateese Ratepayers' Association be payers, the Amalgamated Associa-speedily formed and that the tion of Street Unions held a meet-Chinese Committee be speedily ing and those present unanimously elected and take over their office agreed that in view of the and so satisfy our wishes. Un-portance of the matter and the expectedly news to the contrary necessity of finding imme dhas now been received. This is solution, a copy of the original due to the fault of those who proposals (of the Foochow Road manage the Chinese Ratepayers and other Street Unions) should Association. The bad system be forwarded to the various big existing in the Chinese Ratepayers' organizations and journals. in Association was known long ago. order to call the attention of all We have long had the intention of ratepayers to the necessity of tak-correcting the mistakes of the dug joint action to save the situa-association but we delayed in dotion. ing so because we were afraid that Enclosed is a copy of the lette' ignorant persons would misunder-for the information of the public. stand our good intention and (Sd.) Amalgamated Association think that we were attacking our of Street Unions. own people. Compelled by circumstances we are unable to remain (This is not the original Amal-silent and have to give a warning mated Association of Street to the officers of the Chinese Ratetions but the one which payers' Association and have to formed by those who disagverd consider some plans to relieve the with Chen Tsich-ming, an ex-situation on behalf of the brethren MP.) of the Settlement. Preparations were made for five or six Tae Taxation AGITATION. months for the establishment of "Ju the matter of adjusting the the association and many things misunderstanding connexion that had been done by it were dis-with the Chinese Advisory Com-Tiked by the Chinese community. mittee, we, the Foochow Road and As the Chinese community have no other Street Unions, beg to submit it confidence in the association, it is the following suggestions difficult to prevent foreigners from "On the 9th, 10th and 12th of suspecting it. It is impossible to the first month the press in Shang-deny the mistakes that the associahai published a letter from_ thi tion has made the following of Amalgamated Association of Street which are a few:—Unions (the original one) urging How THE Ruts were Passep. the Chinese advisers to assume office and translations of—cor-(1) The association's regula-respondence on this subject sent by tions were not referred to any of the Secretariat of the S.M.C. the Chinese ratepayers' meetings "When we joined in the protest for discussion. During the 1in-agai the increase of taxes auguration meeting of the association which was held on October 20 (municipal rate) in 1919, we manded amongst other things that last in the premises of the Chinese no taxes should be paid until the Y.M.C.A. no person was permittee appointment of a Chinese Com-ta deliver any criticism, but after Both sides the drafted regulations were read mittee was approved. held their views (meaning refused over, several persons clapped their for several hands, and it was thus considered to yield to each other) Desrite the that the regulations were passed. months without result. considerable sacrifices and trouble In consequence, representatives we met, we have been unable to from several Street Unions an-attain our object, and we have to nounced that they wished to with-and submit to draw from the meeting. You are control ourselves now requested to explain as to concession. whether the regulations passed 10 Bap MaNacEMENT. this manner are approved of by "Tp order to satisfy the Chinese all the Chinese ratepayers. The and settle the matter foreigners, refusal of foreigners to-day to having in mind @ proposal of 1915, acknowledge the Chinese advisers moved a resolution that Chinese is also caused by the irregularity be allowed to form an Advisory of the regulations.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.