Neither the Japanese press nor Dr. K. 8, Mui and his associate appear to have grasped the reason which made it necessary for the Shanghai 'Municipal Council to apply to the British Post Office for the impartial expert to report on the telephone problem in accordance with the terms of the Ratepayers' Meeting. The "Nicht Nich''s" informant suggests that this journal has misted the public. Tt has done nothing of the kind. 'The Japanese telephones may be state-controlled under the Ministry of Communications, just as the British telephones are' under the General Post Office, but the poult is that the Japanese telephone system in use similar to that which is being used in" Shanghai whereas the British Post Office is the only organization which uses two systems and ther fore can more effectively supply impartial investigation, covered the ground Perhaps its most effective passage was that in which It recalled the express desire might Council were to expose itself to an action at law owing to its breach of {ts contractual obligations, the ratepayers would have cause for complaint. The Council, in endeavouring to meet the demand for an inquiry and at the same time to keep itself within the legalities of its contract with the Company, has had to seek the ce-operation of the Company and has not been disappointed. In the circumstances it would seem that the Council has taken the wisest course to extricate itself and the community from the difficulty in which the telephone system has been involved. It to be hoped that the critics will study the Council's letter in all its bearings and realize that the decisions taken have been consistent with the motion adopted at the Ratepayers' meeting
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.