The food situation is giving anxiety, but there does not seem to be any reason for regarding itas beyond control In the next few days it is expected that the supplies of rice will ease the prevailing stringency in respect of that commodity. Prices are rising it is true but the authorities are giving the whole issue their most careful and continuous attention. The chief danger lies in the tendency to pass on rumours and reports for which there is insufficient ground. Anyone who indulges in the habit of spreading such alarms is doing a real disservice to the community and making their already difficult task more difficult for the men and women who are doing their best to mitigate the situation. It should be remembered that at present the recent fighting close to Shanghai has closed certain sources of supply. In due course that disability should be removed as activities return to normality in the regions over which the battle has passed. Already it is noted that peasants are working in their fields again, That is indicative of the prospect of improved conditions. The opening up of the Soochow Creek may result before long in the restoration of supplies from the districts which it serves. In short although it would be idle to pretend that all is well, Shanghai should continue to maintain its customary calmness and rely on the efforts of its administration to cope satisfactorily with the problems involved, so long as the community is prepared to give the proper ce-operation which so heavy a strain on its resources demands.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.