While the Consular Body and foreign circles generally are dis-lenssing the proposal emanating from the Bureau in charge of the affairs of the International Settlement to levy a tax upon all house property in the Settlement, it is hinted that, irrespective of foreign opinion, the impost will be levied lanyhow. This is perhaps not surprising in view of the fact that the bulk of the anticipated revenue {from this source will be borne by, Chinese. Foreign opinion on the subject is not unanimous. Official, objections are of a two fold nature. One is that the communication in question should have come through the proper channel of intercourse between Chinese officialdom and_ the Consular Body, viz., the office of the: Commissioner for Foreign Affairs, jand not from the Bureau in charge lof the administration of the International Settlement. The of that under the treaties foreigners enjoying extraterritorial rights are Jexempt from local Chinese taxation, Both of these objections might be waived could foreigners he assured that their complacence in respect of this levy would nob be quoted against them later when desired by the Chinese authorities, obtain additional revenue by further taxation. In other words, foreigners are apprehensive _that {this might prove to be the thin end lof the wedge. Foreigners concede the advantages which they enjoy in this particular area, where there, jate good roads, street lighting, Police protection, and services lof the fire brigade.
They feel that they should not withhold contributions towards the cost of the m: tenance of these services, but they are afraid of the"
ome bad However, appears that though the sular Body may not be able to give ts leon sent to the proposal, individuals In order to meet problems exeated and institutions may be able to act by their employees wie have|upon their own judgment in the organized themselves into labour|matter. Several concerns will no Unions and acted in concert, Canton|doubt find it expedient to do so. employers are taking action, While this solution may be _ac-In addition to their ancient trade ceptable to most foreigners, it does kuilds, which often admit master|not altogether appeal the Workers as well as merchants, they|Japanese.
For one reason, very tre forming purely merchant{few Japanese are resident in the So "far 60 of these|International Settlement at presen', Pecdy filed their articles deen formed ard 35 have of sociation with the Commissioner of Industry in Canton—Reuter, al-but there may be in the neat The South Manchuria Railjway Compan; i in view of the en. larged population of the Japanese
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.