To the Editor of the "NortH-Cuixa Dairy News."
Sin,—Cireumstanees have prevented one from replying promptly to letters which appeared in the "North-China Daily News" on the gnd and 5th instant. "Man of Kent" approves of the suggested school for the higher education of British boys and thinks Shanghai sould be the most suitable place for the purpose. If ever a school ce Enelish public school lines is established im China, it would, of osurse, be for the benefit of all Kritish communities in this country. The decision as to its—situation would rest, we may expect, with a committee of representative Britons, including some of our leading medical men, who could be trusted to make a satisfactory choice. "British Taupayer' would turn down my "specious plea" with indignation, and roundly condemns all concerned, including the British Government, for putting forward w proposal which is "morally and economically rotten to the core," to wit, the diversion of the Indemnity from the British taxpayer's pocket to the education of Chinese students, etc. He asks, "Can Mr. Beer advance any good reason' why this should be done? The answer is in the negative, for I do not know enough about trade to venture an opinion. It would seem, however, the advocates of the scheme have converted our Government to the view that the expenditure of the, Indemnity on Chinese students is "good business, and it is precisely because trade is so bad, and because there is so much unemployment, that Parlia-rent will probably endorse the London Government's decision, There is another point that "Zu payer" might have noticed. If the recommendations now being mad", as to the best methods of spending nity, are accepted by our the British Government ing assistance to mis-enterprise and, for the time in history, taking a_hand in religious propaganda! Many ill regard this as objectionable, a new departure requiring very careful consideration.
In two particulars. "Z'aajpayer" uusreads my letter,—(1) The "spe ivus plea'" is based entirely on- th assumption that Parliament! endorse the Government's proposals and that the Indemnity will he spent on the education of Chinese students: (2) The suggested school for British boys would not be for the benefit of "rich mes-chants and their well-paid assistants," but, to quote from my Letter, for the "parent who feels the burden and hardship of having ts send children to England." With due respect I would suggest that his indignation is misdirected, and that he would be better employed in a campaign. to rouse the conscience of the Briton abroad who lives under the protection of cur Navy, and who contributes litle, if anything, towards its upkeep. In view of the enormous
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.