Apropos of the comment in this column yesterday on the subject of the Council's scheme for dealing with Shanghai's beggars, and particularly the professional ones, it is interesting and gratifying to note that the points then raised have not been lost sight of by the originators of the idea. The Council's intention is that all beggars found on the streets will be rounded up regardless of whether they are simply indigents or professional beggars. The project, the "North China Daily News" understands, envisages the strictest Police control of individual beggars, to ensure which the finger prints of all such coming under their notice will be taken on admission to the camp. Once there they will not be allowed to go in and out at will, and, before a beggar is repatriated, he will be obliged to secure a guarantor to guarantee that he will not go back on the streets again, This will necessitate the establishment of a repatriation department within the camp. This assurance will set at rest any doubts as to the efficacy of the scheme, for if it is carried out with the-efficiency for which the Police are so well noted, there cannot be the slightest doubt that once the plan is put into operation the dismal sights which are to be seen on Shanghai streets will be things of the past, the truly destitute will be given a chance of rehabilitation, and the professional beggar forced to mend his ways or remain within the camp. It is very probable that once this news gains currency amongst the professional begging fraternity many who at present make the International Settlement their happy hunting ground will depart for fresh woods and pastures new. To effect so excellent a result the money required, not in itself a very large sum should readily be forthcoming from charitable Shanghai, for it is a work which must commend itself to all, and one which should make Shanghai streets rather more pleasant than the presence of the beggars makes it now.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.