Mrs, John Barr's valuable study of Shanghai's civie problems took the audience at the American Women's Club on Jan. 26 over a good deal of ground. Tt was not confined merely the erection of certain ideals. which impoverished public bodies might be legitimately be expected to shy. Mrs, Barr carefully noted and extolled the efforts which the Shang hhal Munlelpal Council has made encouraging the development of night schools, in approving the ce-operation on labour problems with the Henry Lester Institute of Medical Research she was able to. show that Private endeavour, 00, in a, modest way, has been pioneering the search after facilities for the recreation and instruction, of young
munity Church to start social service organization was effectively elted as an example of a sound approach to understanding of civic affairs. The belief is sometimes expressed that Shanghailanders are too much ims ued with a sense of their transient status here to take a real inter= est in education and other social matters of vital Imporiance, That attitude is directly combatted by Mrs.
pointing out how great the need is for certain facilities open in other countries to. those responsible for the upbringing of children. Finan lat and political dimeulties here are active and well-defined, but they do not necessarily stand in the way of Investigation and experiment, a8. re~ cently attempted programmes Have Proved. 'That response can be made fo new ideas has been lately shown, in a limited field, by the success al-tending the Cathedral School for Boys' formation of a parents' advisory committee., The Joint Com: mittee of Women's Organizations has ong played a valuable role In direct~ Ing public attention to civic problems and Mrs." Barr thay now have happily inspired an extension of that activity, Particularly is it desirable that educational problems should come under review in their bearing on civic life, Although an Important Part of the foreign community may find educational facilities. for "their children overseas it would be astrous if there were any neglect of tion to educate other community has.
responsibility and the pressure of competition in' the. local Jabour tends to become increasingly acute as the days pass. Men and Women who are now giving time and thought to this subject deserve. to have their ranks swelled and their efforts reinforced by a more general appreciation of the problems. involved. To that end Mrs. Barr has made contribution which should receive careful consideration.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.