It has been a great feat to! organise the National' Flood lief Commission, whose report appears elsewhere' to-day. Even more remarkable is the fact that after to-morrow, when over $22.5 million have been duly spent, 130 million cubic metres of dyke built, and other gigantic figures of relief recorded, there will remain to be done only the "completion of engineering operations, the inspection and maintenance of the main dykes during the rainy season, preparation of the accounts and their audit." In other words famine, distress and reasonably sound protection have been dealt with on a grand scale and a clean cut has been made. In China, unlike other countries afflicted with famine, it would seem that the transition from scarcity to sufficiency is exceed ingly rapid, Yet, even making allowances for that fortunate condition, the manner in which the Flood Relief Commission has been able to wind up its operations betokens the exercise of considerable driving force and the assertion of much efficiency.
The report deals effectively with the vexed question of the handling of the wheat supplied from America. Tt does not attempt to rebut the frequently told tales of graft and improper application of relief resources. The record which it gives of work done is sufficient in itself to make the dominant. note of any reasonable criticism, one of admiration at the immensity of the task completed, 'The methods of tackling the relief side of the work and combining it' with on of the labour on the intended to prevent disaster in the future provide adequate ground for the assertion that the Flood Relief Commi sion has performed a great work. It seems almost incredible that ina country torn by bandi try, assailed by the uncertainties of political dissension and distracted by the distant flames of warlike invasion, such an. accomplishment could be recorded.
With modesty which betokens. he authorship or authority for publication, the report makes little mention of the Directo General. To Sir John Hope-Simj son, therefore, Mr. T. V. Soong' tribute on Monday was particularly appropriate, The experience, the courage and the tire-Jessness which Sir John brought to bear on a task, brimful with obstacles, disappointments, and heartburnings, have been of incalculable value to the able men and women who were in this work, Sir John' ministrative ability and driving force were allied to that very spirit which ary work in this country assume its best and most effective power for good, He found inspiration {in the devotion of workers of every nationality and grade. particular the remarkable feat of the Engineering division in buying through the dyl ing at great personal serves to be noted, as also th humble beneficence' of the porters.at Nanking and Pukow who abated their usual demands for their services because of the needs which were in question.
<viheial administrations, many of With the support of various pro-them seriously handicapped by Aiggrder, lack of funds and curtailment of authority, the Flood Commission managed to carry Son. To say that it achieved all it set out to do would-be wronging it, To say that it achieved wonders would be but just. It Vindicated its appointment" and the vision of those who refused to be discouraged by whatever obstacles were in the way and in consequence won through.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.