To the Editor of the "Nomn-Cuma Dart News" much admire Mr. P. H. Pasvor's correspondence in your columns but I rather think he should merely have stuck to his frst letter instead of arguing by later correpondence on the pros and cons of his frst letter.
Much of what he writes about is sound argument but he cannot possibly be right in all his views on Municipal Administration. The whole ground of Municipal management 1s: entirely out of date for such a large population as Shanghai—it would do for a town or village or a parish in our home countries but in our cities and counties it would not be tolerated tone week. Of course it har to function to the best of its ability against an adverse position and situation. How long it will continue one can tell but reason opinion inclines to the fact sooner or later, and. may be very soon, a completely reconstructed status of Municipality. must be placed in force to meet and control the present needs of our large city and area.
In times like the present the Muni-¢lpal Council and its officials must be hard pressed to keep everything going in running order and with it, as with all mercantile business in Shanghai, severe retrenchment to the utmost cent should be the order of the day.
In making these retrenchments it is obvious the Council have. laid themselves open (o severe criticism because there Is no reason why ployees ona very high rate of salary Should not be told "You will have take this very reduced pay presently or send Ju your resignation, when we will easily replace you at half your present salary; we are compelled to do so until the Council is out of the wood with financial stringency owing chiefly to the present unfavour-und trade conditions of It the members of the Couneit themselves, each and all of them, were Individually feeling the pinch of very hard times it would go a Tong way in making them toe the line with realistic retrenchment. For' the higher officials to sit at' their Jobs with their personal salaries of $800 to $3,000 per month coming in
obvious reason to believe' that Just for the ting of it, there is merely cutting down a staff of und employees they are misleading ratepayers and the public as to the true position of Municipal retrenchment.
Tt is dificult to please everyone but much could be done if attended to by men who have the will and energy and real spirit of helpfulness for the welfare of the working of the Muniipality for the benefit of all Sidents and the general prosperity of Shanghai as a port for imports and exports, general business, and international trade.
We need to retain and maintain a good and reliable police force at, all times, day and night. We need to retain our Volunteer force in full strength and efficiency to meet its general usefulness ju time of need, ud chiefly to take the part of armed police on the defensive, and when forced to do so defend themselves, foreigners, and residents to the very best of their power and ability. Both have been needed in the past, and T fam one who has been under arms, and they are just as useful and likely 10 be needed in the future. Think of your life, Mr. Parvor, and the lives of your friends; I am sure you will do so? Is $950 ren cars ta fo much expenditure for our excellent Volunteer Foree—surely not. They stand high as soldiers, they give their time up for efficiency, they spend much of their own money attending drills and other out-of-pocket expenses. No—we must have both the Police and Volunteer Service so Jong as Shanghai is under foreign control.
Oto Suancuar Resioewr, Shanghai, May 15.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.