PROPOSED 2} per cent. SURTAX: The usual chaotic state of China's finances still calls for lively interest. Views regarding the pro posed 2) per cent. surtax are widely divergent but it would appear that any possible benefits to he derived from such a levy must. he conditional on other things, viz:—the inauguration of a strong and effective Central Government, the consolidation of unsecured and insufficiently secured debts, and the disbandment of troops. A sincere desire has been. evinced from various quarters to aid China in the work of putting her house in order but any considerable financial aid, whether by surtax or otherwise, must prove abortive whilst existing conditions prevail.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.