Nanking, Aug. 12, A, petition from the Shanghai Coal "Merchants" Association" re-freight rates for. transportation of questing. further "reductions
coal on the various National. railway Was rejected by the Ministry of Railways. in a ruling handed down yesterday.
In oder to assist in the dovelet ment of the native coal-mining dustry, the Association had petition ed that minimum rates be set by the Ministry. According to the Ministry, however, the present rates are considered the "lowest possible and further reductions cannot be made. The Ministry recommends the merchants to seek other. means to meet the competition of imported coal, by improving the methods of production with a view to reducing costs. This, it declares, is the ndamental way of driving out foreign products from the market.
Aug. M4.
Postponement' for three months of the enforcement of new freight rates for the transportation coal on Government. railways is ordered by the Ministry of Rai ways. The increase was toa become effective on Sepiember I. In view of the recent dumping of Japanese coal on the Chinese market, the Ministry has decided to postpone the increase in order to assist the native coal industry. Kuo Min.
"Goodness knows that we have! been patient enough under the utmost provocation, but the acceptance of the pious admonitions of European chancelleries to refrain from aggravation' has only result-"our losing vast territories without the firing of a single shot. A great nation being crucified, and decency believ to seek to asso by parrot-like er of: "punishment fitting the crime.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.