'HERE is no traffic problem in Shanghai, That is the considered.
opinion of the committee of the Automobile Club of China, as evidenced by an exchange of correspondence recently between that body andthe secretary of the Shanghai Municipal Council on the proposed new regulations on the subject of parking in the Central District, which are to come into effect on September 5. The automobile club committee suggests that before the new legislation becomes effective, an opportunity should be given to all interested ratepayers and members of the community generally to express their views on the same, and states that it is prepared to assist the Council in any investigation which is made.
Troops on August 19
Brigadier A, P. D. Telfer-Smollett, new commander of the British Forces here, arrived in Shanghai on Aug. 8 in the s, Rajputana, which was fifteen hours ahead of fis sched~ ule. He was accompanied by Mrs Telfer-Smollett.
Among those who were down on the Shanghai and Hongkew Wharf meet the new commander were Brigadier F. S, Thackeray, the rotiring commander, Captain 'T, G. Rennie, Brigade Major, Lieutenant P. W. Rayner, Alde-de-Camp, Captain A. J. Carlielle, Military Landing Officer, and Mr.' A. H. George, acting commercial counsellor to the British Bmassy.
As is usual the welcome extended The tollows:—
Letter from the ACC. to the S.C, uly 10, Our Committee has given a great. deal of consideration to the proposed new regulations issued by the Shang-hal Municipal Council on the subject of parking, and they have directed us to inform you that in their opinion it would seem that undue importance is being lent by a certain section of the Public to what has become Icnown in Shanghai ad the "traMe problem.
They are not aware of how the Police view the existing situation, and whilst they (the Police) "may feel that there isan actual tame problem calling for attention, this view has not been supported in the annual repens issued by that depart ment during the past two years.
Our; committee hold the view. that there is no trade problem in Shang-hal as far as concerns users of motor vehicles; that in ordinary circum: stances it is possible for any business man to. reach his home from the Central District in 20 minutes and It is only on rare occasions when milltary or other parades and/or process sions are held th that the police hai 1 problem in thq actual direction control of the multifarious types" of vehicles on the streets and also dealing with pedestrians, They feel, however, that the contemplated whole:
revision of existing parking ar-
speeding up true, if speeding up is ungerents will In no way assist "in the aim, and our committee do. not agree that any speeding up is required,
effect be given to the proposed Our gommitee fear, that should changes real trafic blocks will occur a result of concentrations vehicles at certain points, Lo. private parking garages, where the majority of vehicles will undoubtedly And it necessary fo leave or arrive at the same time, and, in addition to this, empty motor vehicles will be con: stantly moving on the streets during rush periods in their endeavours 10 lek up owners or users, Maintain the Status Quo Our committee beg respectfully to suggest, therefore, that the status quo
possible and that the proposed.
malntaned og far ay reasonably changes be withdrawn, Ag an alternative they suggest that fan addition to the existing Bund parking facilities, might result from 4 thorough Investigation into the pos: sibility of a large parking space under certain of the Bund lawns. It is within our commiltac's knowledge that a scheme was prepared by a local civil engineer some years ego show. ing that parking could be provided for several hundred vehicles in this way, and a small charge for parking there placed in a special sinking fund would cover the initial expenditure and interest thereon, provided charge is included for the land itself, The Bund lawns would not be interfered with in any way.
Should you desire to discuss the matter with representatives of the club we shall be glad fo make the necessary arrangements, Letter from S.M.C., July 29
T have to refer to your letter of July 10 and my acknowledgment of the same date, regarding your suggestion that the Council should rescind the parking restriction scheme authorized to come into effect on September 5, 1938, or, a an alternative, that an addition be made to the existing parking facilities on the Bund by means of the provision of parking space under certain of the Bund lawns, the lawns, however, not being interfered with,
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.