To the Editor of the "Nonru-Cuina Dat News"
Sm—The soul of Shanghai's British community spoke during the recent Coronation celebrations, when' they gave such a demonstration of affection and loyalty to our King and Empire, The time was justifiably considered ripe to launch an appeal that would. be o fitting memorial for the occasion and one that would bring manifold Diessings to British children in general, "Blessed is he that doesn't expect."
Tt is confessed there has been a Jamentable Lack of enthusiasm and monetary support from a large section of the British community, Why? With the scheme, in prin~ ciple, there is not the slightest note of discord apparent, neither do 1 think the British community here are disloyal and mean enough to withhold their monetary support from a Coro nation Memorial expecially' dedicated for their own children's welfare and happiness, Then why this holding back? Let's {ake the views which already have been ventilated In your paper and courageously face truth and facts.
The religious barrier question can be dispensed with, due to the fact that several religious denominations already attend the Cathedral school 'Therefore we come down to oligibility or not of British boys, either from some distinction or other, On this question we find. the authorities concerned strangely inarticulate, it's the truth, then courage, fair play, and wisdom' is needed to' overcome this obstacle, The Cathedral Church authorities themselves cannot hold any serious objections as they would not_encourage such activities as the Girls! Friendly Sotiely, ete, Then who does accept the: respon sibility for freezing out the many highly respectable and talented Briish children from attending the only British school tit Is the interpretation of the wording of the late Henry Lester's will, tls high time Consular jurisdiction was chained to alter it.
ease it might be considered that! the entry of non-Britons would er danger the School's prestige or traditions, Tet's seo what it has done to the rear aristocrats of British schools, vin, Oxford and Cambridge. Did the' entry of numerous illustrious sons of our Empire upset the tradi-ions and prestige of these institu tions 'No, on the contrary, many of them have enhanced their' school's Peputation in realms of sport, good cliizenship, and learning. And why wot in Shanghai For myself T would ike to see a British school Which could enrol Shanghai's British children without race or class distinction and whose prinelpas and standards would be of the very highest of what Britain and her Empire stands for, My hope is would) tum oura group. of youngsters fully equipped to serve our Empire's needs and who would have inculcated In them a deep resentment against anything unjust, and who would not be bullied about. by the shops of any social order, they should form a very Important sense of security for future British interests out here, Think how creditable it would be it the Shanghai British community could make this tribute 10 our King] and Empire, and show the world we are strong and united in not allowing privilege or class distinction to ferliza the hates and Jealousies which cause so much anxious discontent elsewhere. he time appears ripe for a Shang-hal manifestation of British unity in providing our children with school quarters and playing-folds of their own, but how we an expect loyalty' fand ce-operation from the large sec lion of Britishers, who from an accident of birth find themselves debarred the privilege of entering their children at' the only British school, Isa problem that must be got over before the Coronation Memorial is brought to a successful issue.
Personal prejudices must give way to fair ploy if future British prestige and our children's welfare and happiness Is not to suiter Tt ought rot to be forgotten, that: there is a large number of the King's subjects "here, who deep down: a their hearts, though inarticulate, have a pride of British citizenship equal to that of most Britons.
'Again T appeal to all not to let our' children suffer for 2 want of understanding and sympathy amongst the elders. I herewith enclose $100 as a practical gesture towards the Memorial with a sincere hope that it will not be confined to the use of the privileged few, W. A, Score, Shanghai, Moy 21.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.