We continue to exercise the closest supervision as regards upkeep, and the growing variety of our trade necessitates constant additions and improvements, We have been fortunate in avoid: ing any setbacks in the nature of strikes, and in this respect I would like to commend our mill managers for their skilful handling of this important factor in the very difficult conditions brought about by the rapid industrial growth of Shanghai. Also I feel sure, there is a genuine desire on the part of millowners to pay wages commensurate with the increased cost of living, and the improvement of the general conditions in the mills, for the welfare of the workers, is a matter that engages our constant attention.
The matter of the abolition of child labour in the mills has lately attracted considerable local attention, and, has been the subject of careful deliberation by the Cotton Millowner's Association and the! Employer's Federation. Ib is realized however that the only; practical solution is legislation by the Chinese Government, which will prevent children working under a specified age. and the provision of schools for them during the hours their parents are engaged at work. These views have been submitted to the Chinese Government through our friends the Chinese' millowners and Chinese Chamber of Commerce, and we trust that the necessary legislation will shortly be forthcoming, which of course will have our cordial support.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.