Whether it works out to be so or not, the general consensus of opinion of postal people and the public alike, is that the giving up of foreign post offices in China is a grave mistake- Since the closing of the British Post Office, almost everyone one meets has a complaint to make about the handling of mails and particularly of parcels. All these complaints cannot be the result solely of a specially critical attitude at this time of change nor should the Chinese Post Office find it so diilicult to cope with the increase. Moreover, not all the complaints are those of delay, but are also concerned with the method of handling. The mail carriers come into offices'which have a large correspondence, with letters spilling out of the bags (which are not too commodious), dump them indiscriminately on the floor, where some might easily be lost, and depart.
The heaviest and most justified complaint n regard to the handling of parcels. An instance 1s known of a coolie waiting for two days to get delivery of one, notification of the receipt of which had been received. Finally, the No. 1 boy was sent round and by finding an inspector whom he knew, was able to get the package. Many other similar cases have come to our attention. it has always been difficult. to get delivery of parcels at the Chinese Post Office but conditions are infinitely worse now. About five or six hundred boxes are available at the present time and there will probably be 1,000 at the end of this month. More counter space has also been installed at the Szechuen Read entrance. These enlargements will not, however, begin to be sufficient for the increase of mails when the American and French Post Offices are closed and, especially, if the Japanese do not come to a separate arrangement, as they have 65 post offices in China and a large population to care for.
A conference is being held at the present time in Peking at which these difficulties are being discussed. Among those attending is Colonel Ford, American Postmaster in Shanghai. There are over 500 boxes in constant use at the American Post Office, many of which have been retained over a long period of years. The addressing of mail involves minor adjustment, and is not vital.. The immediate provision of means with which to handle the situation at the Chinese Post Office is of paramount importance, however. A difficulty confronting the American Post.
Office is that of redeeming Postal Saving Stamps which were issued during the war and as yet no arrangement has been made for redeeming those held locally.
Meanwhile, one would like to
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.