Hints for Shanghai Scots: Temperature Polemics: Nanking and the North: Gallant Pioneers of the. Air:
An Australian Idyll: A Memory of 1927 this certainly does not any valid: reason why he should be [considered ineligible for election to the office of President, although have good reason for believing that it has been the cause of his not] Ihaving been offered the position ere now. In this connection, I might mention that within my own personal recollection the Chair has been occupied by at least two worthy' 'Seats who were not members these Clubs, viz:—the late Mr. Stuart MeLeish, and Mr. Gavin Wallace of the China Merchants' S.N. Company, who is happily still ith us. But these two gentlemen were elected in the days when the affairs of the Society were condueted on much more democratic lines than seems to have been the case latterly.
As for the Committee, it is high time that it should be re-constituted by the infusion of a liberal amount new blood, consisting of a number of young, keen and go-ahead tien, instead of continuing to consist almost exclusively of the number of rather exalted local personages who however do little or nothing in the way of taking an active part in running the affairs of the society. Among the members of Committee should be two whose profession brings them into close and intimate touch with the seafaring community which forms so large a percentage of our total membership. There should also be representatives of one or both of the leading Dock Engineering firms, the Tramway Company and the Customs, and certainly one or two who are closely and actively associated with the Shanghai Scottish.
As regards the general membership of the Society, I suggest that this should be extended to include the wives and daughters of members.
The seems abundantly ripe for a wholesale extension of the Society's activities, which are at. present practically confined to dis-Dursing velief in charity cases as required, and to the holding of ball on St. Andrew's Day. In Scot and to-day, throughout the length and breadth of the land there is a wide interest being taken and great revival going on in regard to Scottish literature, drama and] niuie, Various dramatic societies! musical sprung into being all try—not in the cities only—and quite a few of these organizations: have latterly been making forays fax afield as London, where they have played and sung to delighted audiences composed of both: Engtish and Scots folk for nights on end. Phe Boy Scout movement too has} bean, making enormous strides in Scotland, and young Sots lads are! being brought up to regard then selves as Scotsimen as well as Bri tons. Here in Shanghai there any amount of scope for an exten-ion of the Society's aims and one thing, a Sub-Com-should be formed to inves gate the possibilities of inaugurate ing Literary, Dramatic and Mussal sections, and it should certainly be seen to that a "Burns! Day" celebration of a worthy nature is provided for. Preparation for this event should be taken in hand early' in the autumn, and not left over until the early winter arrives. Tt is also of paramount importance that adequate steps be taken to gain and vetain the active interest and enthusiasm of our young recruits whom I have mentioned earlier in this Letter, From time to time, the. howling of Games has been brought up ina desultory sort of way, but nothing practical has ever been done towards making them an accomplished fact. Could this not be] remedied? And what about considering the formation of a troop of Scottish Bay Scouts as well? Last] but not least, the the Bursary Competitions should be resuscitated without fail. The _examination papers need not and ought not to foe made anything like predominantly Scottish in their composition, 4s perhaps was formerly too: much the case, thereby possibly deterring:
candidates from coming for-Rather ought the papers to be set on the broadest and most useful basis, and the bursaries} offered should be generous ones: which would materially assist the winners as regards their school fees.
Tt is to be hoped that the younger members of our Jarge and ever-growing Scottish community will get going among themselves, work vp their individual and collective enthusiasm, and not hesitate to nominate suitable candidates from' among their number for seats on the incoming Committee. To secure election, plenty of concerted spadework is necessary, together with strong turn-out st the Annual. Meeting. If these suggestions are acted upon, we may perhaps hope see a real election this coming. October, resulting in the Society securing the services of a young, keen and go-ahead Committee instead of once more being called upon formally to approve a presly cut-and-dried list of names comprising heads of shipping companies, banks and other concerns for election en bloc, as has been the ease year after year since goodness. Knows when. Heads of businesses right and wholly indispensable in their respective spheres, but they very seldom make good committee men, and the younger brigade of present day Shanghai Scots will do much better if they will only take up the cause with traditional Scottish enthusiasm.
Trusting that other members of the Society will see their way to back up the suggestions I have offered.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.