Nov. 24.
The nomination of twenty-three men and women to fill the eleven seats on the Committes of the newly-formed British Resitients Association is of good omen, Tt shows that the organisers of the infant body, have not misjudged the health. ines of their offspring. The cares of foster-parenthood are regarded with enthusiasm, "No doubt the electorate will display, imilar keenness in filling up the ballot-forms now in circulation and it, will be exceedingly interesting to learn how the voting goes, although there willie sympathy with the individual elector in making up his or her choice in ror gard to the deletion of a dozen names from the list, so well-supplied as it is with" focal ex: perience and knowledge of public affairs. 'The aims and objects of the' Association have been discussed at length in th columns. The eleven elected members will form the unofficial majority on the Committee, the remaining nine places on which will be filled by nominations from the various societies interested in the Association. A body of considerable driving power and influence should thus be created, Primarily the duty of the Committee will be to direct the attention of members to the study of affairs in China and, in particular, in Shanghai with the view of formulating considered opinions thereon, 'That aspect of the Association' labours has been fully conside! ed. Tt remains to wish it prosperous and beneficent career, There might, how be attention paid at this stage to one important point which has not yet been cone sidered, 80 far as can be judged from public reports of tha Association's activities. It is a point which has distinct relevance to those anxieties and appointments which have been so largely instruments in quickening the interest of the British community in the movement. British subjects here feel that the time has come whet they should be more solicitous of their corporate solidarity than has been possible in the past. They desire to be on guard. They have had reason for the assumption of that attitude, It is in no senso inconsistent with sane and broadminded support of a forward policy. Indeed it supplies that element of reality without which policies are apt to crumble: by Reason of their unsubstantiat fabric. vat That the cultivation on. the spot of an intelligent interest Chinese affairs by the Britis community is a most desirable consummation no one will deny. The leaders of the, Balti Residents Association do well. make that their. special: ate. They will. not forget, howeve,
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.