It is gratifying to report that, os 1034, labour throughout 1995 both in Hankow and in adjacent cities has worked very quietly and the steady progress in this respect for the past two years has been marked, There is unfortunately no doubt that there is considerable distress locally and elsewhere and the only thing that can bring about any real relief is a general improvement trade: the position was again aggravated by floods and though the merchant has been hard up against the position of the labourer has been worse. The improvement of tne position of the farmer, that is the improvement of rural economy, has been stressed and has the attention of the proper authorities, This is the foundation on which to bulld and it'le upon this that any general provement must rest.
Hankow is notorious for its dificult Inbour conditions and the munleipallty has been engaged for some time in investigating this problem. It is patent that abuses abound but the problem -bristios with—difteulties though given better times they would be simplified.
"In this connection I should ike 1 pay a tribute to the benefit to Han-Kow in having as provincial governor, Gen, Chang Chun. He was firm, able and conscientious and all those who met him can have experienced nothing but courtesy and assistance. We congratulate him on his promotion to the important post of Minister for Foreign Affairs in Nanking.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.