Nanking, Aug. 22.
It is learned that with a view to curtailing the administrative expenses. of the Central Government, the Shanghai Offices of the various Ministries will either be closed or separately am: mated with some kindred organ.
The several offices of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, it is learned, will probably be housed at the Kiangsy Burea of Foreign Affairs which will be abolished at. the end of the year, while the Shanghai Office of the Ministry of Agriculture and Mining will most ikely be abolished. The various ay be pun imprison for not more than five years and a fine not exceeding $8,000, Punishments are' stated for ally every offence connected the use, growth, oF encourage ment of the drug in China, but of especial interest is the clause in the Act which states that offences committed by public officers under the Act may be punished with double the other penalties. Protecting opium growers is punishable with prisonment between two and ten years anda fine, while accepting bes is rewarded with life imprisonment. Forcing people "to grow opium by the use of a public oticer's authority is met by the death penalty, also be amalgamated into one general office.
By order of the Commander-in" Chief the salaries of all military oticers above the rank of Captain will be reduced by 20 per cent beginning from next month, stated that the money saved wil subordinate organs of the Mini ty be devoted to welfare work for the of Industry, Commerce and Labour soldiers—Kovo Min,
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.