Occasionally ini Shanghai the view expressed that the habit of writing to the newspapers Is excessively insd. It is argued, for example. that in other more astute cities no notice is paid to such efforts of criticism. In particular the pseu donymity of Shanghai letter-welters who pleasantly call the Editor "Dear Sir" and rely on his discretion to mask their Identity is a portent dis-Ungulshing Shanghai practice from that In London, say, Its not often that this sort of facile disparagement of Shanghai Is rebutted, for usually It a waste of time to endeavour to convince folk who either are profoundly impressed by their own ominisclence or are deliberately trad-Ing on the probability that apposite Instances in refutal of their dogmatic assertions are not Immediately avail able. Tt happens that the' cables now give an opportunity to undeceive them or "shake their" complacence. The announcement that the Post Office has made elaborate arrangements for speeding up London's emergency telephone alls eases of fire, crime or accident Points to the triumph of the letter writer, For "The Times," a few months ago gave space to a number of mainly pseudonymous letters which—in "contradiction of half hearted official explanations—insisted that grave delays in this provision of 4 vital public service were occurring. 'The Post Office, to the credit, has not shirked its obligations merely' because the criticism come. in. part from newspaper letter writers,
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.