Ata recent meeting of the Branch Political Council. a revolution "was passed prohibiting gambling private premises. This ruling includes Mahjongg. Just what steps will be taken to enforce the ruling not known, but there is no doubt that it is in order to encourage gambling in licensed premises since gambling is now permitted under special licences. In Canton and Swatow, gambling dens flourish side-by-side with opium dens, and the amount of money taken in by the authorities from these establishments must run into a very handsome figure. In Swatow alone there are said to be over 150 opium estabishments and some 200 gambling houses at which fan-tan is freely played, The houses take in 10 per Cent. of the winnings to compensate them for whatever they pay the authorities for the privilege of operating gambling tables. Moreover, the authorities make quite a lot of money, by imposing "entertaining taxes." However, members of the military and civil organiza~ tions have themselves been very loth to pay such taxation, and now the Branch Political Council has enjoined them to do so.
The more enlightened section of the community is in strong opposi~ tion to such gambling and opium dens and if they could have their own way about the matter, such establishments would immediately 0 out of existence.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.