Tells Of Conditions In Shanghai

Northern Advocate, 16 December 1939, Page 12

Tells Of Conditions In Shanghai

[Special to “Northern Advocate”2 AUCKLAND, This Day.

Three generations were represented in a family group that arrived at Auckland today. They were Mrs E. S. Little, of Kerikeri, Bay of Islands, her daughter, Mrs W. J. Hawkings, of Shanghai, and her grand-daughter, Miss G. E. Hawkings. Mrs Hawkings was born in Shanghai, and this is her first trip to New Zealand. In February she took her mother to China, following the death of her father. Only Restriction. Stating that she lived in the Japanese occupied zone. 10 miles from the city of Shanghai. Mrs Hawkings said that the only restriction was that British people required passes. Otherwise there was no cause for complaint. However, the Japanese were extremely sensitive, and care was necessary to maintain good relations. The situation was tense in the No Man’s Land between the British Concession and the Japanese-occupied territory, said Mrs Hawkings. The control of this area was a burning question. Adventure to Cross Street. It was an adventure to cross the streets at these points, she said. The British troops were armed with sub-machine guns, and had .their fingers on the triggers all the time. There were frequent shootings. Often, during the night, members of the puppet police, were killed by terrorists. “We frequently hearjd shooitngs,” said Mrs Hawkings. “However, we are used to that sort of thing now, and don’t take much notice of it.”