July 29.
In this unusually critical period of Shanghai's history, Association, were when the integrity and security of the commercial community is more seriously threatened than at any time since the Taiping rebellion, we must welcome with no little enthusiasm the organization of any association among the residents of various nationalities which promises to bring the weight of sound and sober opinion to bear upon matters that vitally affect Shanghai continued existence as a great market. Such ballasting and steadying forces are particularly welcome when they are of an international character, empha: ing the all-important truth th in this city the common interest ican really transcend, in all really serious matters, international, commercial, financial or _political rivalry' and put such o¢casional subjects for dispute in their proper perspective. These remarks have been prompted by'
perusal of the printed rules of the Shanghai Property Owners' Association, a body which was. born in December of last year which has now taken define ite form as an international a sociation with a committee presentative of British, Amel can Japanese, French and Chinese land and property own-' ers in both the International Settlement and the French Concession. As stich it can hat no political character and can be partisan in no dispute of a political nature, whether Chinese or international, but it will be representative of a genuinely constructive element in the community, with something stake and something to defend in Shanghai, and can therefore be trusted to focus very sober and sound foreign and Chinese opi ion upon every.problem in-which Shanghai's security and well being are involved and to exert amoral fore in support of the Municipal Council's. and. the! ion best efforts.
We do not believe that the organization of the Association was prompted by any thought of such possible functions as a moral force in the solution of Shanghai's newest and more urgent problems. It was called into being to study and formulate opinion upon matters which are the more immediate and intimate concern of property owners as business men, namely such matters as increased assessments and rates, the effect of the Traffic Commission's. findings upon the interests of the body of property owners not represented on that Commission, the question lof rebates on insurance on fireproof buildings, uniform systems of leases, collection of rents and the like, and many other technical matters which constant changes due to Shanghi growth and development bring up before the individual investor in Shanghai property from day day. The non-political character of such an association is, as we have said, an essential to its creation and ex and this is not only made clear in the rules, but was brought out at the preliminary meeting in December when Mr. A. W. Burkill, the Chairman, said, jatter discussing the need for a general and common policy amongst property owners: you may infer that the proposed association is antagonistic to the two Councils, but I must emphasize that this is absolutely contrary to what we have in mind. Our aim, and I am sure you will all agree with me in this, is to work with and not against the authorities; we feel that it will help them to have some responsible body to con: sult, as I hope that it will present all the land and proper ty owners in Shanghai, both in the International Settlement and the French Concession." clear by Mr. N. L, Sparke at this Incidentally, it was also made
preliminary meeting that the property owners, in forming an by no m mustering against the te and in this connexion he said: "It is not our intention to be in any way anti-tenant and we shall have no sympathy with owners whose property is insanitary or dangerous, nor will the association assist members in raising rents." In connexion with this, special word should be said as regards Mr. Sparke's work bringing the association into being. The association: was his idea, and since it took shape, he has worked indefatigably for its formation. This has not been a matter of months only, but years, and the present eminently factory position of this body may truthfully be said to be due his enterprise, initiative and energy. We have no doubt that in the future he will have abundant cause to be proud of the growth and achievement of his intellectual offspring.
If one reads the report of the initial meeting and the rules, it will be obvious that, in the estimation of the organizers, the association's one great function will be to arrive at joint solutions of common business problems, and in these problems a very fair proportion of Shanghhai's leading citizens of all nationalities is bound to be interested, but what interests us very much more, as we have already intimated, is the inevit-fable influence—perhaps unsuspected by the members themselves—which such a union of substantial persons is' bound to have upon Shanghai's public affairs. It is of particular interest that it will bring together a class of Chinese, conservative and of necessity' devoted to the preservation of good Jorder and normal trading conditions here, who have no mediunt at present through which they can express themselves that is" not dominated by men who are
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.