To the Editor of the "Norrn-Cutwa Dairy News"
Sin,—The subject of the growth of factories, huts and shacks to the detriment of residents and property in the Western Area has already been the subject of comment and correspondence in your columns.
But so far nothing appears to have been done to stop or control this fungus which is rapidly ruining what used to be the best residential area of Shanghai, The reply that "nothing can be done" is most unsatisfactory and cannot be accepted because every day it is becoming more and more apparent that something must be done.
From the roof of one's house it is now possible to look across a sea of straw huts, woodshacks and wooden buildings with factory chimneys and the area has taken on the appearance of Yokohama after the earthquake. If a fire were to start with a strong wind to fan the flames, there would be one of the most terrible conflagra~ tions in the history of the city and probably considerable loss of life.
Everyone admits the need for rehabilitation and the desirability of the re-establishment of industry so that refugees may earn a living instead of being a charge on the community. But surely this can be controlled so that it does not at the same time depreciate the value of existing residential property and render such property impossible of habitation.
Property owners and tenants pay rates to the authorities and they have a right to demand that such authorities provide reasonable safeguards that they may inhabit their properties without detriment to health and comfort caused by smoke, noise, smell and insanitary conditions to say nothing of the fire hazard.
If these authorities can do nothing, it is to admit a vacuum in government, administration and control.
There may be objections to the following suggestions, but have they been tried.
(1) An admission by the Chinese Government that they have no objection to the temporary assumption of Control of these areas by the Shanghai Municipal Council and the French Municipal Council, such control not to prejudice any future settlement and to be relinquished on the assumption of control by some other duly constituted and recognized authority Could not the Consular or Diplomatic Body arrange this?
(2) An arrangement with the public utility companies who enjoy the Council's franchise, not to supply water, light and power to factories or buildings which are, or are likely to be, a nuisance to nearby residents or which do not comply with reasonable standards of health and safety—say in the opinion of the Public Works Department or other authority competent to judge on such matters.
'There may be other suggestions and since the annual meeting of the British Residents' Association takes place this evening, I appeal to members interested in these matters to attend this meeting. It is understood that the British members of the Council will be present and as it is a private meeting, there can be a full and frank interchange of views, and possibly some suggestion will emanate which will result in a dimination or prevention of the present intolerable situation,
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.