To the Eaiter of the WNonmi-Cunsa Darcy News"
Sm—The existence of the Shang-hal Munlelpal Orchestra, one of (he few decent things we have lett, 1s the only thing, apart froma some-What unsatisfactory constitution, Which makes this lly unique west of Suez, and it would be a thousand filles if an institution which St has Taken years to bulla up, shaula be lightly discarded, At the same time it must. be admitted that at present the amenities provided by the Orchestra are only Bvallable to a very small percentage of ratepayers. Frequently the "house full" notice is displayed outside the Lyceum, which results in ratepayers who can afford to pay the price of Ddmission fleets and of. transport being unable to ariond a given cone cert owing to the very limited fecommodation provided by the Zyceum Theater There are also many musical ratepayers who per ores must pay thole rates but, who cannot afford the price of admission Glekets "and/or" transport. Consider {he'oaulon of Yateayes ing Mond he SMC. concerts than 2 fangiszepo0 who {s more entitled to
resident of the French Concession, tut who is practically debarred from doing #0 by the expense involved.
Tu my opinion the ratepayers should Tasist that the SMC, should make arrangements to broadcast all foMelal SIC. concerts, Te -may be argued against this that box ofo Tecelpts "would diminish, "This is oubtrut in the extreme. Experience Would appear to indicate thatthe broadcasting of concerts has the opposite effect. The Queen's. Hall Promenade Concerts are, oF certainly were, regularly. broadcast, and any body who has attended one can attest 10 the crowded condition of the arterre when the: alternative Standing for the best part of a couple of hours was listening. tothe same concert inv eomfott at home, More over the Queens Hal orchestra Even it the broadcasting of SIC. for supported by. public funds.
eoneorls should adversely affect the fox office receipts it would scarcely matter, as in the final analysis the talepayer' pays most_of the cost of mmalntatng the ofehestra anyway. 1 quite certain that it the SEC. foncorts were broadcast in future the annual opponents of the retention of the orchestra. would" be greally Aiminished in number and would be deprived of some of their favourite arguments, Apart from the weekly SMC. certs, the existence of the Or long makes possible a reasonable Sandard_of efleleney in the "Ballet Russe, variags ollier musical activities ofa sporadic mature.
conclusion T-consider that the members of the SMC, Orchestra are fon the whole grossly underpaid, he summer time such of them (that moat of them) Who are members Doth of the Orchestra and of the Band fre also grossly overworked, Shanghai, Mar, 18, How to Raise the Money To the Editor of the "Nonmit-Cinxa Darcy News"
Sm—In the present discussion about the Municipal Orchestra' T would heartily endorse the view! "that this institution should be self-supporting og far as possible. I do not think it will be able to dispense completely with a public subvention: And there can be no doubt that the provision of some cultural amenities one of the tasks of any municipal administration, even though only a minority of the citizens may make use of the opportunities offered. Should the orchestra be sacrificed. this would be exactly In line with the world's general idea of Shanghai's cultural standard (I don't think 1 need dwell on this point), Even some of the letters published so far in this column will be commented upon elsewhere in this sense.
'On the other hand none of us is blind towards the terrible misery reigning here, Therefore the burden on the administration must be made a light as possible. But the problem is the same everywhere, only the dogeee of misery—and of' the public funds available—varies, And nearly everywhere societies " have been. formed to help the public bodies to carry on their cultural obligations. In' Britain, in the United States. on Continent, we find those societies. like the "Friends of the National "Friends of the Zoological ete, Why not found here!
Friends of the Municipal Orchestra?" I am certain that once committee of our prominent music-lovers is formed, their appeal for collaboration will find a ready response from the public, The members of the Society must be accorded some privileges, regarding the first choice of seats ete; and T would suggest three special concerts during year, ope really festive character and of social colour—And finally: there can be no ques-ition of the French—Munlelpal Council's obligation to support this catge {0 a. much more generous! degree than up to now. All these measures taken together will help) to reduce the sum set out for the 'Municipal Orchestra in the present} budget, and the amount saved en this' way will surely be used to alleviate the-poor sufferers' fate (oF 50 we hope).
Shanghai, Mar. 17, Support for Dr. O'Hara the Caller of the "NomsivCiava Dar News" gale" a8 my plan to that the "relastalment" of the unlelpal Siker correspondents regarding
Orchestra as a heavy taxon the Couneit income.
Surely if the Orchestra can attract big audiences both indoors end out earn their living without any stipend from the Municipal Council, these eieult days, the sick and the needy aust have elpy and "all Fghtethinking taxpayers should sup-ort Dr, O'ar's proposal of reser Tg. the orchestral outlay" for" the As a retired muslelan and old rosident"of Shanghai, Tdo not hastate fo advocate thie nécessaty' change Of [Shanghai, Mar, 19, These Strikes:
A Lock-out Suggested To the Editor of the "Nonru-Emma Darr News"
Sm—Tho latest strike of the Bus Company drivers and conductors Gives rise to a feeling that we are changing from a condition of law and order to disorder in our once Model Settlement. The action of the strikers in leaving their vehicles at odd places along the roadside counted about a dozen along Bubbing) Well Road between Seymour: and Yates Roads), shows that the Intention in mind is to incommode the public to the fullest extent pos sible, These stationary buses constitute an obstruction to trame and the police would have done well to arrest all the strikers and have them brought before the Court for just punishment, T saw one foreign sergeant of police ordering the strikers off the footpath back into the buses and it is a pity the could not have applied the same "Move-on" order to those in charge of the vehicles.
These constantly recurring strikes in public services such as the Bus and Tramway Companies show that the past settlements of the strikes are no settlements at all, but merely "breathers" before the next "Holdup" is attempted. T would therefore suggest that a "lock-out" be tried by the Companies concerned Yo cool the ardour of the strikers. 'A month without work and no pay: would likely make for great reforms and be @ lesson to other workers in the Settlement to stick to constitu tional means in order to obtain a redress of their grievances and just claims.
What is badly needed here is an Arbitration "Court of international character to handle all disputes between employer and employee, and and the sooner our City Fathers sot about to establish this institution, the etter will It be "for all eon:
Shanghai, Mar. 19, Petrol Sales:
And Cash Rebates To the Editor of the "Nowru-Ciuxa Dany News"
Sim—For some years past I have been in the habit of purchasing my petrol from Shell. Texaco and Standard Oil pumps on the roadside, For cash money a return is given you of from 3 to 5 cents per gallon According to the whims of the at-
Years ago, when gas costs were around a dollar CNE. per gallon, the return amounted to 5 per cent. of marked-up costs and was quite saving, Now petrol costs $3.00 per gallon, so T respectfully enquire why the cash buyer finds himself receiving a cash rebate of 3-5 cents instead of from 108 to 18 cents per gallon purchased.
My petrol consumption is about 100]
ons per month and a rebate for [cash equal to that given before would be quite, hanay. tngdial Mee, 21,
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.