Women's Aid some' respects, Yunnan, Tong. Known as one of China's -backward provinces, has done much in recent years to: merit a place among the more progressive provinces of the nation, Modern motor highways are now linking up the larger cities of Yunnan from east to west and north to south, and where motor buses, do not ply, steps are being taken to improve the horse roads used by the rear caravans of pack animals In. the interfer, as they carry tea, sugar, cloth, soap, rice and other grains to the far places and bring, back salt, skins, wool, and 'Tibetan butter for their' pwn rise and consumption, In some parts of the province the opium evil is being eradicated, and cfops of useful grain are being grown its" place, But in other "parts where steps have not yet been taken to oot out the opium menace, more poppies are being grown than before, fas though the owners of the suit were Intent upon laying in a large supply to fall back upon in the lean years ahead, Most of the dwellers of northwestern Yunnan, have not as yet had very many contacts with the advanc-Ing civilization of the outside world. The few, who have, come back with glowing tales of the wonders encountered in the provincial capital where railway trains, aeroplanes and motor ears no longer inspire awe the minds of city dwellers. But out this way. progress is slow, and the minds of tribesfolk and border peoples are sll cluttered with century "old superstitious beliefs.
Some believe that certain birds such as the crow can bring misfortune. If a crow should alight on one's house and caw repeatedly, it believed that the occupants of that house are assuredly headed for misfortune in spite of anything that might be done to avoid the oncoming, enlamity, Perhaps that Is why the frow has a day all his owh in tain parts of the province. If a man Duys a hive of bees, he prospers it the bees prosper; if not, bad luck and even bitter poverty may lo ahead.
"To outwit demons, front gat not placed directly in front of house doors, as itis Believed that evil spirits have diffeulty tu travelling on Angular lines. And for the same Feagon a road Is likely to wind into a village Instead of entering by a Straight approach. Doors still are made high to impede the progress of evil spirits attempting to enter, Women Bring Hil Luck In keeping with superstition, when houses are to be erected, the large wooden beams and other timbers are first well prepared, ready to at into place quickly without further cutting planing, Then when all is in Yendiness, the friends and neighbours of the house-owner are summoned to appear at nightfall of the desired date, and by the light of bon-t\res the house frames are set up before the approach of dawn. No women are permitted to be present at these "house-raisings," for they are believed to bring ill luck, in some regions, before a young couple may be married, the parents ff those concerned must frst be Sured that the birth dates tally cor~ reelly, oF else the marriage has to be called off. In many localities the Detrothal of 1 girl really amounts to sale, for cash, livestock or some other commodity' must be paid to the parents of the bride-to-be, the Amount depending upon the dnancial status of those concerned. Engage ments ure made early, sometimes before the boy and girl are ten years old.
To many of the more primitive fall seems that every mountain, stream fgnd lake has its god or gods. We have seen supposedly sacred moun 4ains from which it was believed by many that the cne timber dare not be cut Test the mountain god be offended and bring dire calamity upon the offenders.
When. lepers were baptized in a mountain Luke, the more gullible townsfolk were filled with alarm, declaring that drought was inevitable, as the lake god had been offended by the baptisms which had defiled the Jake and, therefore, he would not permit rain or snow fo fall. Their rediclions were soon proven wrong fo the satisfaction of their neigh" ours when heavy snow and rainfall 'Tue Ministry of the Tnterlor has' recently communicated with provin-dal governments on the ways and means of improving the treatment of civil servants in district administrations, This step, itis reported, came as a result of the realization of the Minisry that salary payments for district administrative staffs are generally too low to ensure a decent living and family up-keep, and the consequent financial embarrassment may cause me ciency or even cor ruption,
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.