The average quotation of second grade non-glutinous rice for the month is a little below that of last month. This slight decline, however, promises no optimism. It was during the last week of the month that the prices limit began to be threatened by secret transactions. Rice sold at the limit price is not up to the standard of first-grade rice specified. High quality rice has been hoarded by manipulators, and adulteration has often been resorted to by retail stores. The rapid increase in the price of wheat flour has been an outstanding feature of the month. From below $9 per parcel during the first week of the month, its price went up to $11 toward the close of the month. Inasmuch as wheat flour is becoming an important substitute diet in view of the high rice quotations, a jump in its price has a very significant effect upon the livelihood of the masses, notwithstanding the general conviction that Shanghai people live on rice alone.
To relieve the hardship of the poor, the Shanghai Committee for Cheap Sale of Rice was formed and sales started on January 21. Broken Saigon rice was sold at $1 for 6% chin, or $24 per shih. The maximum purchase is limited to $1 per person. Also, a hot rice campaign was launched by the Salvation Army, distributing paper bags containing one pound of hot rice to starving beggars.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.