Those Social Functions To the Bditor of the "NontH-Cuina Daty News"
Sim—I notice from the report of the annual general meeting of St, Andrews Society that it is proposed hold the usual ball on St. Andrew's day. 'Though I am in no way a Kll-joy, 1 thinks the time, has arrived when the: local British Nationil Societies should give less thought to social functions, even though tradition demands they should be held, {fo the distress' among patriots, "It may be argued that the object of the Societies is charity and that any profits accruing from the different social functions ave devoted to that purpose. I quite agree, Dut the profits on these functions are in" most eases 80 small as not to be worth serious consideration. But the money spent to make these profits is in the aggregate of huge dimensions, T fee! convinced that if the president of St Andrew's Society this year at Jeast, or his successors until times fare better, can defy tradition and declare there shall be no ball, but instead that members be asked to contribute to the funds of the Society, he will have done a great service and will receive, more of" genuine thanks than by standing in the glory of his kilt to welcome innumerable pleasure seekers, whose tone thought is not charity, but en-Joyment.. Do not think for one moment 1am decrying the balls T fam not; I'am merely asking that during the present. period of dis-ress, it be discontinued and, the bers be asked to subscribe to of "British subjects who fare in dire need. Tt is my unfor-{umate position in Shanghai to have more than an academic interest in Mnemployment, and I) can assure the readers of this letter, that stress among British subjects is far greater than is generally. ima-dined. This, in my opinion, is not the time blatantly to parade one's desire for pleasure; rather is it the: time to do something for the needy. Teommend my remarks to Mr, Me-Donald and to the members of ie Committe in the hope that, before arrangements are finally made, they may give their very earnest, consideration to what I have written.
A Job of this sort needs time for organization ete., surely some Britisher of Britishers will take the lead in forming a business Committee relieve the distress amongst Bri shers, don't let's wait until others have' taken steps to help their nationals. "It seems as if lots are willing to make monthly donations to a fund, but there's no fund to which donations can be sent, and Committee being formed, or like-to be formed, to deal with the lief of the" unemployed In our 1 Oxe Wno is Stina, Waitin Shanghai, Get. 23.
The Camp Idea To, the Editor of the montu-Ciixa DatLy News, Sir—I understand that serian consideration is being given to the formation of a "camp" for unemployed Britons who. are without means, and would like £0 suggest (it it has not already deen brought tup) that the possibilities of obtaining the temporary use of undeveloped or partially developed land in British ownership in the Western District be investigated, The most suitable of all would, of course, be the H. & S. Bank property, Light. Water, Drainage, Transport available and temporary, buildings able thickness bamboo filled ud tile or thatched roof, lo both comfortable and attractive, fas at least one well known citizen can verify; deen living for some Aline in ing of similar construction on his own land, not a thousand miles from the property above mentioned.
"As regards the discontent which ix noticed amongst some other nationals regarding the, British effort to assist their unfortunate compatriots, it should not be forgotten tha the majority of the local Charities owe their origin to British effort and interest, and with the ception of kho purely national ormnisations, such as St. Georges, ft. Andrews, etc,, people of other than British' origin are and have been for some 15 or 20 years th principal beneficiaries, and whilst it {s undesirable that purely national efforts should disturb interest in general distress it would indeed be extremely selfish to condemn Britons for taking a deeper interest
lays.
their own folk'in these abnormal Shanghai, Oct. 17.
Shanghai, Oct, 28.
An Endorsement To the Editor of the Noaru-Ciuna Dany News"
opportunity of, endorsing, the views Sine would Ike to ake, the eBPrassed by "Groachan" in your Sen of the 18th instant.
The cost of a ball on the lines of
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.