Inquiry shows that this is due to the policy of those especially concerned with this particular branch of trade rather than to any improvement in the commerce of the place. For instance a watchmaker and jeweller expressed the opinion that considering everything trade had not been so bad, but then he had increased the scope of the goods he could offer to the pubife and had thus brought in more custom. Nor did he find that cheap watches or jewellery were in especial demand. The same was found to be the case with other firms. It has ceased to be possible in Shanghai for any firm to wait for bu ness to come to it: no matter what the firm, it has to go out and search for it. A good location and a good stock in trade suitably advertised to get the public eye constitute a size qua non, While it was the intention to deal only with generalities in this article a whole lot of subsidiary topies present them-salves, and at least one of these must be mentioned. Practically all, our. retail firms are purveyors of food in canned and tinned form, while imported hams, cheeses and the like add to the number of articles, which are offered. Jams, biscuits and a great many more types of delicacies have to be added, and it may be regarded a3 a matter of interest why these are not bought more from the well-conducted foreign stores in our midst.
The answer is that the average housekeeper is in the hands of the Chinese boy, or cook, and the latter has always an ult ere ior object in view. For instance in the Western District numerous small compra-dare shops have in recent years sprung up, and it is part of the houseboy's game that the bulk of the supplies should be purchased by him or the cook from one particular shop. Unless there is acquiescence in such purchases, difficulties arise in the household, and on the part of the foreigner a policy of peace at any price usually, prevails. It is well-known that these small shops are practically owned by the cooks and boys aforesaid, and so the lat ter reap profits in more ways than one, presents but demand the utmost val their money, it supports the same con-ud financial
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.