Editor of the Nonri-Cuia Dany News"
Sur—I do not intend that the discussions 1 have raised by a free ex-Dresslon of my views in these columns degenerate into a cheap free-for-all where personal abuse under the guise of public-spiritedness Is used as an offensive or defensive weapon.
In the matter of Municipal Salaries the position ix clear, By far the greater number of Shanghailanders, foreign and Chinese, have found their incomes and their standards of living dangerously reduced, Municipal economy 1s a crying need, yet nothing done in respect of Municipal Ser-]vants excepting the scandalous throwing out of employment of a few unfortunates. I rebel at the callousness of the whole business and so do thousands of others. By all means let the Council respect contractual engagements; nothing however can prevent a fair compromise being offered to office-holders, Recalcitrants can easily be dealt with at a later date, As regards the higher-paid posts, there is not cne of them which would but be gladly refilled by the present Incumbent at a much more moderate
advantage of bad times.
Salary, This is nota matter of taking tis a matter of sound finance and social fairness. Replacements would not be a dimlcult affair, Created posts should be abolished.
It the Commission I suggested, and which you approved of, be appointed trust that it will consist of mon known for their thoroughly independent views and social-mindedness.
As for the S.V.C, I purposely left myself open to correction. From perusal of your columns noone a pears to know exactly what its functions are or are destined 10 be. To me nevertheless they seem quite clear, Again Tam wrong no doubt.
My point Is that the Corps as a unit has done its work. Its military character adds in no way to its efficiency. economy is needed and if disbanding is out of the question re~ dueing it fo a Police Special Reserve, drilled and disciplined, would in no way impair its standing or real utility. A military force can only be used after proclamation of martial and I dare to doubt if the S.M.C. fas @ non-sovereign body has a right to make such a declaration, All said and done the Ratepayers as a body will be the ones to shape future policies—not the SMC. Will they become articulate openly or will they be satisfied to continue in the same old way? The S.MC. has by no means been all black. It has done magnificent work in the past and is well worthy of every possible praise jin that direction, If it has blundered that is only human. But if it refuses to move with the times, then blunde: Ing can no longer be condoned and it must be called to order by those who hold the real power.
Shanghai, May 14.
"The Shanghai Municipal Councit the elected Tepresentative body of the Hatepayers ce Mfr. Prevot and tis Journal are In complete. agreement fu the point.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.