To the Editor of the "Nomru-Crats Datty News"
Sm—The rental of a suitable fat or house "is becoming increasingly dimeult owing to the enormous rents being asked by the Agents, 'Rentals are now absolutely out of proportion "to the average" selarles now being paid' in Shanghai and, considering. the. increased' building activity in Shanghai, surely. st 1s time that reductions were made.
In spite of the present exchange rates, there has been no appreciable Feductions in the prices of Provisions and other commodities by the Various Compradore shops.
Although there hasbeen some previous correspondence on this sub Jest and in spite of the letters written by certain Importers. explaining why they cannot "always give, the centumer the benedt of fuetuations {n'exchange, the fact remains that ig" vitally necessary that the cost of living be reduced and it is up 10 the retailers to do their part.
Foreign employees who are paid wholly or part in gold currency" are nding iving conditions out of "all proportion to the salaries they are Feceiving' in' these days of debs Son and it is for this reason that T
igh rents. prev Sp, wad 1 daw stein fo the provisions at present in Shanghai.
'According, to information being ssiven by certain Importers, I is very Possible' that the situation will befame, dally' more critical and it ery necessary there an ad: Jusment be made somewhere.
Tsteovensn.
Shanghai, Feb. 25.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.