Yo the Ealtor of the "Nown-Ciuxa Docy News"
Sm—As was pointed out in this column weeks ago, arguments so-called "Protestants" and. "Catho-Hes" can never be settled by scrappy (and not very Christian)' Argument. It is all too obvious why. it is many years ago since the remark "See how these Christians love another was commonly heard Alia tempora, alli mores! Let us change the subject, Soon, there will be a meeting of the Ratepayers; will anything come that meeting? Is it too much to ask of the privileged few who can fatiend that they raise at least, three points which appear overlooked? First, the Orehestr we are told this costs $200,000 per annum; but no word is said about its earnings; surely" it earns some-_ thing? What "happens to the! receipts from the Sunday Concerts? And "if the Orchestra is' disbanded, what happens to the musicians? Having got them together and made full use of them, has the Council no moral obligation to see that they fare not turned adrift to starve? is hard to sec what else awaits these unfortunate men, who are expected to give of their best while they are kept, in suspense os (0 their future <not for the first time. There has been more than enough callousness concerning human life lately; we: need some strong men to come forward and Insist on humanity for change. I seem to remember reading that it would not be economic to send too many refugees away, lest there might be a shortage of local labour when peace comes—Just as if people would not flock back here in their thousands when better times come. No, keep Shanghai lunhealthily crowded and so ensure there will be a plentiful supply of cheap labour!
Secondly; why must the poor nitwits whose homes and business lie outside the Settlement be voteless?
They pay rates, they contribute to the welfare of Shanghai—but under the existing arrangements, they just don't count, Isn't it time someone got a move on and altered all this? The same old reply will be..of course, to the, effect that "this is time for drastic changes." Then, when will it be time? Why let things go on drifting in this aimless way?
Thirdly; the outside roads (within the perimeter) are getting more than their fair share of use now-adays; cars and lorries (not all having. number-plates!), wheel-barrows and colies throng the road; frequently, the muddy "footpath" is literally blocked with merchandise—but no one cares. No one bothers to insist that proper footpaths are made; those who live on outside roads don't count (except when' it comes to: paying rates); they have no votes, and so can be safely ignored.
Let all our Councillors go for a walk, on a wet day, along Tunsin Road, Keswick Road and Great Western Road, and see for themselves what the state of affairs really is.
Shanghai, Mar. 21,
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.