To the Editor of the "Nontn-Cmva Day News"
Sm,—A city which has had for market for its locally manufactured goods a hinterland of large extent, and an unexcelled water-way for communication in the Yangtsze River, finds it difficult to adjust tò a situation in which it is deprived of easy fa ties, Excellent as are the services of the two British shipping companies in circumventing the obstruction of the Yangtsze boom, they are unable to meet the demands made upon them for the transport of goods. In consequence local manufacturing, which shows a disposition to resume, has to lag. Since the livelihood of many people is dependent on continued operation of factories, until an increase in shipping facilities can be provided some local stimulation of purchasing would be very useful at the present time. It is natural in times of uncertainty to refrain from purchasing goods, or to confine purchases to necessities, But what should be advocated should be a policy of spending on the part of those who are fortunate enough to have continuing salaries, however small.
The majority of Shanghai factory products are for the use of the Chinese population, and to them the exhortation must go out that, within the limit of their capacity to buy, they should buy. If ever the ery of "kuo hue," national made goods, had any merit, it is now. I would go farther, and say that the purchases should be as far as possible Shanghai-made goods. If we are to be self-contained at least in part, a psychology of buying on the part of the populace would be inspiring, and would engender confidence in manufacturers to re-open.
Foreigners would find. if they Jooked for them, that there are many products of local manufacture which would fit. their needs. I know a manufacturer of fine grade woollen goods, whose range of sweaters etc. is very tempting. He is not now operating, for among other things an order for $10,000 worth for one local store has been cancelled. He could put to work 70 skilled workers who are now idle if he could find his former local market. This in turn would mean a little business for the importer of the yarns he uses, and for all the interlinking services which bring raw materials to his factory.
If we are not to find the ranks of the unemployed in this city increased still more within the coming months, we must do our part. Let us spend what we can, and buy even more than we need!
Shanghai, Nov. 4.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.