To the, Editor of the "Norra-Curva Dairy News."
Sir,—On occasions in the past I have seen advertisements in your paper in which the advertiser is described asa Freeman of the City of London."
I have often wondered what qualifications were required for this distinction and was interested today to read the following note in the weekly edition of the "Times" for April 22, 1921 "qt is well, but not perhaps widely, known that anyone can @ freeman aw payment of £2 6s, 8d. The City Corporation have just directed un inquiry into the regulations. In the discussion that led to this action some light was thrown on freemen by redemption," Most of the applicants were said to have no connexion with the City, and few possessed even City addresses, while in many cases the freedom was purchased for advertisement purposes, I am, etc., Scrutator.
Shanghai, June 9. a To the Editor of the "Norrs-Cama Dairy News."
Siz,—In answer to ''Scrutator'" 1 was always under the impression that it was only a freeman of a City of London Guild, who could claim the freedom of the City of London. There are, among others, the Silversmiths' and Goldsmiths' Guild, the Chartered Accountants the Worshipful Company Spectacle-Makers' Guild, ete.
Any lad who has served his _apprenticeship to one of these City Guilds is allowed to claim the freedom of the City of London. The following is the last paragraph in the Rogulation of the Worshipful Company of Spectacle Makers: ''A freeman the Company is entitled to claim the freedom of the City of London at a lost of £1.1s. payable to the Corporation for the benefit of the Freeman's Orphan School to which institution the Orphans of freemen of the City have the right of nomination.
Please notice il states." a Freeman of the Company is entitled," ete. To become a freeman of the Company you must pass their examina tion. However, the proof of the pudding is in the eating and let "Scrutator? snd his £2.6s.8d and find out for himself whether the said £2.6s.8d. is the only qualifica-tien required.
T am, etc., H. Tostas.
Shanghai, June 11.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.