So intimate are the relations of the Shanghai Muniofoal' Counoll's Press Information Office with the Press that comment on the annual report issued by that department seems almost ike discussing family secrets, Indeed, the Press OMmce self appears to' share that view for good-humouredly rueful reference to the frequent changes in the personnel of the newspaper staffs (and the consequent need for going aver old ground) shows a sympathetic ap redation of editorial woes as well ips 98 8 lively sense of the obligations Imposed on itself. It ts appropriate, however, to express the opinion that the Press Information Ofice has been an invaluable friend to the news papers and it is to be hoped that the Councit realizes that the principle of avoiding anything like the creation of a propaganda bureau is eminently sound. Mr. Burton Sayer's experi fence as a journalist hag in that, as {in other respects, been of real service to the community and it is me teresting to note that the value of his department is now being ap: preciated by newspapers beyond the immediate boundaries of Shang-hal. Tt is all to the good that other parts of Asia, as well as Europe and Americ have direct access to Kiangse Road. Thereby a better appreciation of _Shanghs [problems and the importance of great city may find expression ip the world's views and news. In condoling with the department on the necessity for domestically indulging in that damnable iteration which marks the external performances of the press, it may be permissible to record the fact that the idiosynerasies arising from changes In personnel are not peculiar' to Shanghai, Information Officers in Whitehall—and possibly elsevher—have more than once encountered the same ex. perience, as, for example, that of finding 2 most reputable news agency compelled to send for guidance on jan. inteleate matter, of finance an admirable but puzzled expert on assedation football. Sport and finance have their poinig in common, but Shanghai would hardly be delightes If the dates! pronouncements on the movement of silver were authoritatively. issued for publication by a brilliant exponent—on paper—ot the delicacies of hai alai, But then, again—it report is to be believed—nance and hal: alai are not so far apart as casual observers might think,
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.