in Szechuen Nanking, June 22.
In line with the extensive improvement measures which are being adopted throughout the country by the Salt Administration, the moder ization of salt wells of Szechuen, particularly at Tzelluching and Wut Ungehiso, are already under way. 'These wells for centuries. ha plied high grade salt to the numa population inhabiting Szechuer Western Hupeh, Kweichow, part of Hunao.' While the methods Used have been effective in utilizing the vast man power of the densely populated region of Central Szechuen, Any steps taken must keep mind the preservation of the livelihood of the people, and thus not dislocate too suddenly social and Tabour conditions in the salt produc ing areas, Nevertheless, the improvement of methods has appeared to be paramount importance to the Salt Administration, Contracts have already been let to provide the chief centre of salt Production at Tzeliuching with an Electric plant capable of supplying hoisting power to thie entire brine region. Siemens China Company are supply two. turbo-generators of 4.000 KW, while Babcock & Wilcox re the contractors for the two boilers for the plant. The machinery will arrive by several shipments at the end of this year and the frst part of the next year, At the same time at Tzeliuching a model salt plant is being projected. While it is-to be. financed by salt merchants, it is to be designed, constructed and managed by the Salt Administration, to be turned over to the merchants when in running order. After careful study and experimentation, the grainer system of salt making has been chosen. In ad~ dition, another model salt plant is to be established with government funds for the Chien-Lo area, S20- chuen, This plant is to serve as a model plant for general adoption in the future by salt makers. Tt will also form a basis for more extensive experimentation in connection with the manufacture of alimentary salt general and of by-products from bittern blocks in particular, In the neighbouring salt re Wutungehiao, arrangements are ing made for the installation Grilting machinery, which will the supplies of richer brine beneath the present levels attained by. existing native methods, The only way to get richer brine cheaply and with certainty is to drive deeper wells.
The objective of the Salt Administration in ce-operation with provincial and national reconstruction o1- fans is not to take over the production of salt in West China but to lead the way in demonstrating to the salt producers modern and more econo: mie methods of brine extraction and salt manufacture Ey modern appliances. The conservative nature of the vested interests now operating the salt works makes it almost impossible for private operators to pioneer dong these lines. It is anticipated, however, that once the Government shows the way of a more Profitable exploitation of the wells, private interests will inevitably fol-Tow suit—Kuo Min.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.