THE PUZZLE IN CHINA.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 19967, 8 December 1926, Page 8

THE PUZZLE IN CHINA.

The opening of the road to Shanghai for the Cantonese troops, which have been overcoming all opposition in China, brings appreciably nearer the day when the foreign Powers will have to decide in what manner they may protect their interests. The likelihood that the Cantonese Government may have to receive recognition as the one Government in the country which is representative of Chinese opinion has been immensely strengthened by recent events. A difficulty which has, confronted all the foreign Powers for the past few years has been that only a phantom central Government has existed in China. An international conference, which the Powers had instituted, on Chinese Maritime Customs suspended its sittings in July last simply because there was no Government possessing any authority with which it could Now, however, the Cantonese Government claims that it has definitely ousted the Government at Peking and that it alone is in a position to speak and negotiate on behalf of the Chinese people. As representative of the sentiment of the Chinese Nationalists, it demands the abolition of all concessions in Customs and territory and the complete autonomy of the country. It is acknowledged by the British Government that there are difficulties in connection with the Chinese Maritime Customs and that there are other points connected with treaty rights that are in need of modification and adjustment, and if a government has emerged, or is emerging, in China that will be capable, with a sufficient show of authority, of negotiating with the foreign Powers, the latest internal disturbances in the country will have been productive of some good. The question, of the control of the Customs is, of course, connected with autonomy. The Government of the United States has declared that the matter is purely domestic, and that for that reason it is not interested in it. Both Great Britain and Japan, on tlje other hand, are deeply concerned in it. Some recent statistics show that in 1922 there were 3940 Japanese business firms in China with a rapidly-increasing capital. The British firms in the same year numbered 725. It is estimated that there are at the present time two hundred millions of British capital invested in China. The erection of a tariff wall would create a serious barrier in the way of the development of British trade. Japan has been seeking support in China by expressing sympathy with the principle of Chinese autonomy subject to a reservation in favour of special reciprocal tariff treaties. In other words, China would have complete control of her Customs provided Japan secured the advantage of being the “most favoured nation.” Japan desires special tariffs for the cheap cotton goods that are exported by her to China. She i* apprehensive, moreover, lest a tariff against her raw silk products might ruin that industry, while a rival and stronger one was being built up in China. These and the other matters, in respect of which the national spirit that has been awakened in at least a section of the Chinese people seeks appeasement, will in due time form the subject of negotiation into which, the British envoy at Shanghai has said, Great Britain will enter with a desire to effect an amicable settlement.

The postal authorities advise that the steamer Wingatui, which is due at Wellington on Saturday from Melbourne, is bringing seven bags and five hampers containing Australian mail matter for Dunedin. The mail is expected to come to hand next Monday afternoon. Of four Juga Slavs who arrived in Auckland by the Marama from Sydney yesterday, threfc* did not have permits to land in the-Dominion {reports a Press Association telegram), and they will be returned to Sydney. There was a clean charge sheet at the City Police Court yesterday morning. ,

A meeting of the Otago Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animalsw as held yesterday. Sir George i' enwick occupied th© chair, and the meeting was also attended by the Rev. W. Saunders, Messrs W. F. Sligo, T Elliott, A. D. Sutherland, P. Johnson, J. Brown, and S. P. Leith, and Mrs and Miss Porteous. Most of the business was of a private nature. tt was decided to apply for samples of badges to be awarded to children for conspicuous acts of kindness to animals. It was explained that these badges would be something worth while, and there would not be many of them awarded. According to Cr D. M’Gregor, of the Bruce County Council, motoring can now take its place alongside jazz as a factor in undermining the morals of the youth of the present day. Speaking at the monthly meeting of the council yesterday, he characterised motoring as a modern form of dissipation. With a view to having the cost of maintenance and construction of the roads in the county charged to the general account of the county instead of to the separate ridings through which they run, the chairman of the Bruce County Council (Cr W. J. Sheiat), at the council’s monthly meeting yesterday, moved, and Cr D. M‘Gregor seconded : "That- the cost of maintenance and construction of existing and future highways be a charge on the general account of the county.” Cr A. King said he thought the matter could be left over until it was seen whether the Otago Motor Council’s reading scheme would come into force or not, as if it did, all expenditure would have to come out of the general account. The mover pointed out that even if all the counties agreed to the scheme, it would be some time before it could bo brought into operation. After some discussion, the motion was lost on a show of hands.

On the subject of the new school at Caversham the Education Board’s architect (Mr J. Rodger) reported to the board yesterday that the plasterers are not making very good progress, and finishing is thus being held back. “It seems useless, however,” he said, “to try to force the work on as the scarcity of experienced plasterers is felt all over the Dominion, and many contractors are being seriously inconvenienced on this account. Notwithstanding what I have .stated', the work should be finished in good time for opening after the holidays.” Though the efforts of the Railways Department of late to meet the convenience of patrons in many ways have been widely appreciated, the department seems still unable to overcome its habitual reticence in issuing time-tables, and thus revealing details of its services to the public gaze. The season of holiday travel for the year is now upon us, and though for some time the old time-tables have not been obtainable the new ones to take their place have not yet come to hand. To accentuate the difficulty for the large section of the public which intends to be travelling by rail shortly, the local Book of holiday train arrangements is not yet out. It is gratifying, however, to learn that the new time-tables are expected to come to hand almost immediately, and that the booklet of holiday arrangements will bo out well before the end of the week. Although the terms of the settlement in what was known as the Begg case were not disclosed in the Supreme Court yesterday, it is understood that the firm will be floated into a public company, and that Mr Alexander Begg will retire on a handsome allowance. Probate was granted • by his Honor Mr Justice Sim yesterday in the following deceased estates; —Margaret M'Dirmod Mackie, Dunedin (Mr E. J. Smith); John Dow, Dunedin * (Mr E. J. Smith) j Elizabeth Waghome, Dunedin (Mr W. R. Brugh); Joseph Hamilton, Palmerston (Mr R. R. Aspinall); Robert William M'Laggan Shepherd, Roxburgh (Mr S. Fletcher); Frederick Seaton, Fairfield (Mr C. J. Payne); John Anderson, Fairfield (Mr B. S. Irwin). The twin-screw passenger and cargo steamers Atua and Navua, which were recently sold by the Union Steam Ship Company to a - London firm, will be commissioned to-morrow at Port Chalmers. The vessels will sail on Friday for Westport to take in bunker coal, and will proceed thence to an Australian port to load for Egypt. The Atua and Navua, whim were docked and overhauled at Port Chalmers, will be manned with several officers in the employ of the Union Company and New Zealand crews, for the voyage to the Suez Canal. Both ships will subsequently be employed in carrying pilgrims between Mediterranean ports and Egypt.

The Auckland Harbour Board has been considering a proposal to spend £250,000 on the erection of an extensive block of buildings on the old dock site, including new offices for the board, a Customs examination shed, and a warehouse for the storage of goods to relieve the space in the wharf sheds. However, it is now thinking twice about the matter (reports our special correspondent). A special departmental committee reported that in view ot the present slackness in trade and the prospects of these conditions continuing for some time, the board was not justified in entertaining the proposal to spend £250,000 on the new block. It was admitted that the board required more room both for the board and staff, and the engineer’s suggestion for alterations to the present building was worthy of consideration as it would meet the needs of the board for the next 20 years. After discussion the board decided to deal with the matter at a meeting of the board in committee. The premises of Messrs Turner Bros., wool and skin merchants, in Lower Eattray street, were broken into on Monday night, and over 3cwt of rabbitskins were stolen, as well , as some opossum skin rugs from the office. The total value of the goods is approximately _ £IOO. Entrance was gained by forcing open the small trapdoor in the larger door. If the Wellington Industrial Association has its way the Duke of York, during his forthcoming visit to Wellington, will make a public appearance clad in goods totally manufactured by New Zealand labour. The chairman stated (reports our special correspondent in Wellington) that he wanted the Duke of York to be dressed from head to toe in things manufactured in New Zealand. It would be a fine advertisement for the country. In reply to a query, he stated it would be in good taste. “And they’ll be good clothes,” he added, “for, as you all know, we can manufacture things as well as they can in any other part of the world.”

The legal aspect of advertising formed the subject of an interesting lecture delivered by Mr L. P. Leary at Auckland (reports the Star). Advertising, he said, was looked on in law as the written wora, and when it contained a definite offer, its acceptance in some cases constituted a legal contract. Mr Leary gave instances of court proceedings in which such contracts were held to be binding and damages recovered. Special reference was made to the law as it concerned lotteries. Advertisers at times sailed very close to the wind in this respect, he said. A lottery was defined as the distribution of prizes by lot or chance. To escape proceedings, such advertisers had to provide for prizes being won with a certain degree of skill. If skill definitely entered into the scheme it was not classed as a lottery. The speaker impressed on his audience that this form of advertising should not be entered on without very serious consideration of the legal aspects of the case. Another instance of advertising , which came within the law was defaming another firm's goods. If a statement was made that “Clark’s goods are the best in the world,’’ or something similar, it did not matter, but if a competitor’s goods were named and a real disparagement made it became actionable. An open-air church service oompaiga has commenced (says the Church News). On Sunday, November 21, Bishop West Watson, accompanied by the vicars of Lyttelton, four College House students, both Lyttelton choirs, and people from the city, proceeded to Corsair Bay for a service on the sands. It was not a propitious day, as there were fewer than usual out on account of the uncertain weather. Assisted by a portable organ, the choirs sang, and the bishop and the Rev. A. J. Petrie delivered addresses to an interested and sympathetic crowd. It is intended to held these services at the bay once every four weeks. Adventures in the same direction at other holiday-making places are under consideration.

I The yellow flag was hoisted by the Marama I on arrival at Auckland from Sydney yesterday. The 'cause of the trouble (reports our special correspondent) was that on the run across one of the ship’s officers had developed chickenpox in a mild form, and was receiving attention. After the steamer ! had been boarded by the port medical officer the launch returned to the shore and conveyed the medical officer of health for the district (Dr T. J. Hughes) to the ship, and the steamer was then granted pratique. An outbreak of measles at Cromwell has taken a fairly severe form (reports our special correspondent), and the school attendance has been so heavily depleted that the school has been closed down for eight weeks. The most disappointing result was that the visit of the Albany Sr-’et School Band on Thursday, which was being keenly looked forward to, had to be cancelled in the meantime. The Minister of Public Works (ihe Hon. R. S. Williams) having advised Mr H. _,E. Holland, M.P., that he was unab.e to pay for time off of Public Works men who had assisted in saving lives and properties during the recent flood, the union met last night (reports a Westport Press Association massage), and passed the following resolution:—“That this meeting unanimously condemns the ‘ action of the Public Works Department in regard to those of its employees who lost time in endeavouring to save their own and other homes during the recent floods. We would strongly urge that in this connection the Public Works Department should follow the example of the Marine Department, the Borough Council, and the County Council, non© of whose employees were penalised by reason of their efforts to save life and property.” A wireless message from the whaling steamer Sir Janies Clerk Ross states that the vessel got through the ice and entered Ross Sea a week ago. Her sister ship, the C. A. Larsen, has evidently not yet succeeded in reaching the Ross Sea. Keen rivalry is likely to take place between the crews of the two vessels in regard to oatohing the largest number of whales. The Sir James Clark Ross can deal with four whales at a time —two on each Side of the ship. The C A. Larsen can handle six at once, four in addition to two being dealt with in the water on each side, and there is also provision for hauling two more up on deck. Preliminary arrangements have been, completed for the setting up of the Kauri Gum Control Board, authorised under the legislation passed in 1925 (states the Auckland Star). The Government is required to appoint two members as its representatives, one person is to be appointed as the representative of the exporters of gum, and two others are to be elected to represent the producers. Nominations for the election of the diggers’ representatives have closed, and a postal ballot will be held on December 15. The other appointments have not been made yet. The first meeting of the board will be held early in the new year, and one of its first duties will be to fix the charges on all exported gum, whether subject to control or not. The regulations issued under the Act provide that these must not exceed li per cent, of the value of the gum exported.

The telephones in Stanley Bay, Auckland, had a busy time on Friday evening, as worried parents propounded to each other the' query, “Do you know how to get red paint off children?” (states the Star). The fervent negatives received in reply were abundant evidence of bitter experience, and mutual sympathy was generally expressed by all who had children of their own, with special condemnation of wet paint in public places. The cause of the trouble was the new playground equipment in Stanley Park, now in course of completion for, the opening ceremony. The workmen had just given the fixtures the final coat of patent iron paint, and as soon as they left the job the local children swarmed on to the area and, heedless of brands or stain, proceeded to have a real good tiihe. Lavish use of soap, oil, turps, and all the patent cleansers available In every household concerned provided the sequel, but even next day there were many children in the neighbourhood who might possibly pass for .some piebald mixture of the human race, a fine testimony to the quality of the paint. Pious wishes are expressed that time will provide a remedy. The Stanley Bay Association’s committee regrets the occurrence, but realise that these walking advertisements for the playground will be excellent publicity for the opening ceremony to-morrow, when it is hoped that the free ice-creams, biscuits, and confectionery to be provided will prove a solace to all worried hearts—if not for painted skins and discoloured clothing. The annual health camp of the Wanganui Education Board was visited (says the Wanganui Herald) last week by the Hon. R. A. Wright (Minister of Education). Mr Wright was very interested in the children .and in the work that was necessary to bring them nearer the normal standard of health. Ho arrived in time to see the boys at sun-bathing, and Dr Elizabeth Gunn then escorted him through the camp, explaining the varioua points of interest. Mr Wright commented favourably upon the value of tooth brush drill, which he observed with interest. Mr Lethbridge introduced the Minister to the children, and the latter expressed thanks on behalf of the Government to Mr and Mrs Lethbridge for so kindly providing the property, buildings, and for all they did for the children, and also Dr Elizabeth Gunn for so capably organising and managing the camp. He also thanked the staff and the students from the Wellington Teachers’ Training College for helping toi make the camp a success. In 1920 the “King Natives” raised £ISOO to purchase 10 acres of lands et Ngaruawnhia, which is vested in the Maori "king,” Te Rata Mahuta, to hold in trust as a papa kianga for all Natives acknowledging his leadership (states the New Zealand Herald). Costly improvements have been made, water laid on, lighting connected and sanitary measures taken. The work now in hand involves the completion of a. hall, approximately 120 ft square, which will contain a refreshment room, an auditorium and stage, and a meeting house. The opening has been fixed for March 15, 1927, .and the Prime Minister is to be invited to be present. After the papa kianga is well established it is intended to start a school to revive among the young men and women of the Native race the arts of woodcarving and weaving aryl other useful handicrafts.

Those interested in any or all branches of horticulture are reminded of the public meeting to be held in the A. and P, Association board room at 5 p.ra. to-day, under the auspices of the Otago Council of the New Zealand Institute of Horticulture. The Dominion secretary (Mr Geo. A. Green) will address the meeting on “The Immediate Aims and Objectives of the Institute,” and this will be followed by a discussion. Mr T. K. Sidey, M.P., will preside. Is there anything more beautiful than to see well-poised housewives demonstrating the wonderful labour-saving and perfect cleansing qualities of “No-rubbing Laundry Help?”—Advt. Gift buying becomes a pleasure when selecting from such a fine stock as Williamsons. the jewellers, show you.—Advt. What your friend wants as a Christmas gift is something electrical, something which will cause a thrill. Electric thrills are specialties at Tarth's Electric Supplies (Ltd.), 90 Princes street, Dunedin.—Advt. Bath Salts. —We have secured a special line of Bath Salts, assorted. Usual price, 5s fid. which we ’are selling at 2s fid; by post 3s 2d. Send at once to secure a bargain.—Sorosen’s (Ltd.), chemist. Octagon, Dunedin. —Advt. Eczema, varicose ulcers, and aQ skin irritation successfully treated by Hoffman’s special remedy. Full particulars from Hoffman’s Pharmacy, 17 Princes street (next Begg’s).—Advt. Ryes are precious. At first sign of weakness go to the qualified and experienced (20 years) optometrist, W. V. Stunner, D. 5.0.1., G.A.0.C., Octagon, Dunedin. Most up-to-date equipment, including test electrically-lit testing charts installed. —Advt. A. E. J. Blakeley and W. E. Baglay, dentists, Bank of Australasia, corner of Bond and Rattray streets (nest Telegraph Oflir-ei TelephoiK 1R59 —Advt Make no mistake. For honest value in jewellery, watches, and optical goods, “Peter Dick,” the most reliable watchmakers, jewellers, and optometrists, 490 Moray place (opp. City Hotel). — Advt. g