To the Editor of the "Norra-Cutna Datry News."
Str,—I have read the two letters which have appeared in your paper on the '"liegisiration of Servants" with much interest. They represent two characteristic points of view. I agree with Mr. Maguire's. Shanghai is at present suffering from a dislocation of the law of demand and supply, as far as} domestic servants are concerned. It is no use attempting to apply ote.,. She is an extraordinary t present—~packed to overflowing with a hug: population. A big percentage of that population want servants. In such circumstances, what is the use of talking of the "Regist¥ation of Servants" as a cure for household sorrows? Bad servants are better than none at all, and people would always take a chance on them. maskee a bad registration card, and hope for the best.
things will equalize themselves in time—good wages, plus per quisite, will attract more and better men, and the sorrow of Shanghai will be alleviated. Tu the present abnormal conditions, the supply of good servants won't go round—a state of things that registration would not improve.
And now for a few words in support of Chinese servants, my only reason for writing this letter. "Experto Credite' says: "The majority of Chinese servants are dishonest, etc." He should say: "The majority of Shanghai servants are, ete.," and, even then, I imagine there would be many in Shanghai to contradict him—although households are like marriages—the unhappy ones are the most talked about!
T write after 10 years' experience of Chinese servants. My husband can number 30 years. Between us we have sampled those of many ports, and yeh our opinion of them remains high! There axe poor ones, of course, but there are also poor ones at home.
can look round and look back on many households with the same experience of Chinese servants.as our own. They are not a perfect race, but, given one has a sense of humour and can control one's temper occasionally, much can be done with them.
Enclosing my card,
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.