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Thames Star, Volume LIX, Issue 16593, 15 September 1925, Page 5

A New Zealander in Hong-lvong, writing to a relative in Christchurch, .comments on ike situation in China: — “You certainly are getting news of iChina down your way, and 1 do not think exaggerated news either. Things here are undoubtedly serious, and at the moment there is a boycott of British goods all over China. The strike in Hong-Kong is still on, though not in its severe form as a month ago. But it is on, and business and trade are at an absolute standstill. The .estimated loss to Hong-Kong per day js. four million dollars. The position is stagnation, and what will- happen next no one knows. Nine-tenths of British shipping on the coast .is idle. Th.e anti-foreign, and especially the • anti-British, feeling is more intense than ever, ft seems to me a calm before the storm. We sit tight and wait. But John Bull is not asleep! Don’t think that! Something will happen soon to clear the air. There is a censorship on all letters leaving here, so hence my caution. Things in Hong-Kong are easier. The Volunteers have been partially disbanded, but affairs are far from O.K. There’s an, uncomfortable tension everywhere.”

“The Polite Letter Writer” is apparently unknown to the Maori. A story is going the rounds of New Plymouth (states the Taranaki News) that ft well-known native is giving a literal interpretation of the usual courtesy ending of a letter from the Minister of the Crown. “I know, these in Wellington frightened of me. They know I the big man,” -the Maori says. “See that,” and with excited finger he points to the last words of the letter: “Na.to Mo kai.’.’ “That means, ‘your obedient servant/ I know they iffeghtened of’ime.” ;