To the Editor of the "Normu-Cnuea Day News here are "too. well nun to" need uch emphasis here, "The Portuguese Gop. of "the Volunteer Corps is but tone example oP haw they e-operate the ie. of Shanghai, "te is_a Company, of which they have every Hint to be proud, and is a valuable contribution to. tie defences" of the Scitiement in which they have, when geension demanded. it, carved, "with into." Prom a "North-chiing Dally News" leaderette of June 0, 1040.)
This fair tribute, however, makes! no "mention of the possession of "vested rights," for the very good yeason that the Portuguese in Shang-hal have very little of them. But what of it? Are "vested rights" the only thing to count In this Settlement? It io exactly because we have nothing, because we belong to the honourable working-class that feel the absolute need of a voice on, our behalf, one that, when necessary, would gently but firmly remind the representatives of "vested rights" that we. the Portuguese in Shanghai, exist and that. we possess virtues that go to form strong and useful civic assets, assets not Auld Ike "vested rights" Ours is a poor community and yet thanks to the admirable work" of our Portuguese Ladies' Benevolent Society in none of the many public scenes of abject foreign overly can one detec, an unfor lunate belonging to our community. We have no business interests, 10) property, comparable at all. to" that enjoyed by other communities here, Dut in times of trouble we have an efficient and. dependable body of] men ready and glad to undertake the Protection of the business interests, Sm—It's about time the SMC. took some steps to cut out this profiteering which is now going on, also the matter of giving short weight many" "commodities to the public. For instance, T-understand the price of coal bails has sen. some 33 1/3} percent, the past week or so, for fo. apparent reason whatever.
"Proweuting offenders. is not much use oF benefit {0 the SIC. as the court involved ets the fines. But it fleurs to me that the SAC, could {elude some sort of clause la. the Heenes issued these shopkeepers. the effect that Hf they are fined. for proftecring or giving short weight, {hey will have to pay-an_ extra. 60 per cent, when their new Heenee is Fenewed"and if fried a second time they will, be called up to pay 100 per cent: extra, ete." This would Eppear to be. feasible and_ would help to swell the SEC. coffers, there must be hundreds or thousands fof these profiteers in the Settlement the present time, Shanghai. Apr. 8 and property of those who have much of the "vested rights."
Sir, we have mict with defeat this year, but it is a Lusitanian defeat, carries no dishonour or disgrace. Peacefully we shall work on towards our coal. knowing that there are friends from whom we can expect support and that there are others who will eventually. recognize our right, fo the common good of. the entire International Settlement.
Shanghai, Apr. 11.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.