1932-01-18 — Page 18

TUESDAY, JANUARY 19, 1932.

AN INTERVIEW WITH PETER

By

W. V. NOBLE.

LOCAL SHARE MARKET

Better Demand for

Utilities.

SHANGHAI BOYERS.

THE

CHINA MAIL.

The official summary issued by the Stock Exchange to-day states: "

The market opened quietly steady. with a better demand for some of the "Utilities," which were slightly niarked up. That also applies to

higher price than our local rate.

Salea. Trama, $2231⁄2.

- I' Electries, $78. Star Ferries, 397. Bengnets, $12.

NATIONAL "FLOOD'

RELIEF

Shipping Department's Record

of Work:

HIGHLY SATISFACTORY.

Immense Tonnage of. Wheat and Flour Handled.

"And where would we sleep?" I Ewos, Shanghai being buyers at a the Shipping Department of the ports, discharge arrangements

asked humbly.

"I can light Peter strikes matches for the ve

a fire with one of It: he likes to see the flames: the, match," Peter boasted. "There are marvel of fire springing apparently nettles, too, in this garden, You from nowhere is still fresh. Some could boil those. Nettle pudding is times he'll run headlong into you quite sustaining." round a corner holding a flaring match in front of him like a head- lamp. It soon goes out, but it das- "Oh, sleep!" Peter sounded dis- cinates him while it lasts. He gusted. "We wouddn't sleep at all. makes a buzzing noise as he runs: We would have too much to do. 1 think he's pretending to be an While I was throwing stones down aeroplane. Yesterday Peter on to the enemy from the top of going to be a telegraph boy because the wall and knocking them on the he liked the uniform. To-day he head with my Scout pole you would has decided that he'll join the Royal be, digging a tunnel under the back Air Force. To-morrow he will pro-walf for us to escape. Then when bably choose to be an engine-driver., you'd finished we'd put our hats on His future depends entirely on the top of the wall to make the enemy story which takes his faney in the think we were still here, and then beloved two-penny weekly which he' we'd slip away through the tunnel. rends from cover to cover, including, There wouldn't be

time to any the sporta equipment.

I sleep."

WIS

The other day I caught Peter shinning up the wireless pole. He was wearing his Scout shirt and - khaki trousers and he had a jack- knife between his teeth. He came to rest at a perilous. height, with one arm gripping the pot insulators and his legs entwined round the pole.

"You'll get splinters in your knees," I shouted from my lowly position in the cabbage-bed,

prevented

The jack-knife

his shouting back; he went on sucking it.

"You'd better come down before the pole snaps," I persisted.

He rocked the pole in defiance, and the rattle of the insulators was the only answer. The serial sagged and tightened as Peter swayed to and fro. Cautiously he slid his left hand away from the pole and I could see that his knees were white with the lightness of their grip. With nimble fingers he untied his blue neckerchief and slipped his head through the lanyard that used to be white. The little devil was going to break his neck, I thought, and he down. ought to be made to come. But one is in rather a helpless posi- tion standing in a cabbage-patch twenty feet below the scene activity.

of

"Peter!" I shouted. "I'll lan you when you come down!"

+

"Of course not." I agreed. "And having escaped we would go and in- form the police?"

Peter groaned. "Of course not. We would then attack the enemy from behind and put them to

He stopped fer want of a word.

"Rout," I suggested.

"

"That's it. Do you think there are any islands that haven't been discovered? I'm thinking of dis- covering an island some day and finding people that nobody has ever heard of before. There must be some islands that haven't been dis- covered."

I contemplated this new turn in the conversation, but I was nut | given long enough to reply. "What is the best way

of dis- covering an island, do you think?" asked Peter.

"Oh, you just fly there or sail there across the sea and ask the chief person in the island whether he has ever been discovered. If he says he's seen somebody like you before then you'll know that it's not a discovery after all."

He waved his neckerchief. Pushing his right arm farther round the wire on to which he clung, he was able to use both hands to! lash the neckerchief to the pole, and it floated out in the breeze like a blue pennon at the tip of a gianta

lance.

"Pull your knots tight," I called. "If you'd drop that blinking knife you could use your teeth."

The knife came hurtling down, wet and foamy, and the blade buried itself in the ground between a cab- bage gone to seed and my foot, just as Peter would have wanted it to do. I left it there for him to see when he came down.

Peter did not seem quite sure whether I was pulling his leg.

I asked.

To change the subject. How long have you been a Scout, Puter?"

"I am not a Scout yet. I'm just a Wolf Cub. Gut I'll soon be old enough to be a Scout. I must get my neckerchief back because we have a meeting to-night."

He made for the pole with the intention of shinning up again, but stopped him. I offered him half crown to buy a new neckerchief. hut he persisted that only his old one would do. I told him that it was my wireless-pole and I would not allow him to climb up it, but he reminded me that it was his necker- chief.

Buyers.

Unions, $113.- Providents (old), $5.30. Providents (new), $2,45. Chinese Estates, $95. China Lights, $26.40. Singapore Tractions, 3/. Sinceres, $16,

H.K. Government Loan, $24 cent. premin

Benguets, $114.

Hotels old), $16.15, Kenities, $11.60.

Ewos, Tis. 16. Telephones (part paid), $27.60. Cements new), $5.60.. Constructions (new), $1.85.

Sellers.

indo-Chinas (Pref.), $45. Indo-Chinas (Def.), $32. Realties, $12.

Electrics, $784. Entertainments (old), $16. Raubs, $39.

H.K. Lands, $8234. Ewos, Tla. 16%. Telephones (part paid), $28.

CHINA - JAPAN - MANCHURIA.

Aims of the New Government,

Nanking, Jan. 8.

Shanghai, Jan. 9. Summarising the record of National Flood Relief Commis sion up to the end of the year 1981. Mr. F. B. Lynch who is in charge of this work stated; that 83,551 long tons of wheat and 31,696 long tons of flour had, arrived in Shanghai and been transhipped to Yangtsze river ports or on that day remained in the Commission's godowns at the China Merchants' Eastern Wharf pending river shipment.. The original arrangement with the Farm Board of the United States per provided that either wheat or

flour might be shipped. These arrivals, together with the plan- ne schedule of ships due in January, February and March, will, it is expected, make ar rangements for the shipment of a total equivalent in wheat and flour of almost 424.000 tons of wheat. This amount is well with- in sight of the Commission's contract with the Farm Board for 450,000 tons. This may be regarded as very satisfactory handling of a very large under taking.

China Merchant. Eastern Wharf. If, either at Shanghai or at river

and temporary storage had not been available inmediately in every

case, there would have been "slow dischargo" with con- sequent increase in costs and general hold-up of the machinery of flood relief.

Interviewed on this question yesterday, Mr. J. E. Baker indi- cated that it was his belief that! the receipt and relatively suc- cessful handling of approximate- ly one-third of the total cargo: was a good beginning, though Dis- the game is not yet over." cussing the question further Mr. Baker pointed out that the pre- sence in China of the wheat al- ready arrived, and the prospec- five additional" arrivals. had a very important secondary func- tion. It had been estimated in the early stages of the Commis sion's work that 300,000,000 tons | of erop had been prevented from coming into being. This was sufficient to have created a spe- culative rise, which had indeed, continued Mr, Baker, already be- gun when the announcement was made of negotiations for 15,000,- 000 bushels of American wheat. Hence the purchase has kept at reasonable levels, in Mr. Baker's estimation, perhaps fifty times the imported amount of food- stuffs to be consumed in the country between the time of the last and of the next harvest.

To date, Mr. Lynch's report further states, 22 ships from America have arrived and been discharged. Thanks to expediti- ous handling and careful plan ning, no demurrage at all had been paid on any one of these ships. Furthermore, on 12 of the 14 ships carrying full cargoes, despatch money was In the opinion of Sir John Hope warned. The other 8 ships car-Simpson, this result is of great ried smaller parcels, and upon importance, though the fact re- these neither demurrage nor des-mained that at present, due to Dr. Kan Chish-hou. Vice-patch money was payable. Mr. the drop in the English pound Minister of Foreign Affairs, in a Lynch, gives much credit for this and the sympathetic further drop Press interview yesterday, de- to Messrs. L. Everett, Inc. ship of the Australian pound since the clared that the aims of the new ping contractors to the Commis-signing of the contract meant Government vis-a-vis the Man- sion, and to the Inbord Shipping that Australian wheat was at churian situation are threefold: | Committee headed by Mr. J. present on the market at prices namely, (1 cessation of hostili- Keswick of Messrs. Jardine, considerably, below those origin- ties: (21 restoration of lost Matheson und Co. Unless, how- ally agreed upon by the Com-1 sovereign rights and (3) re- ever, there had been further mission. Several factors there- covery of lost territorics. In good planning and expeditious fore are operating in respect of order attain these objects, handling at the river ports, a the satisfactory and compara- Grimment will, firstly, serious congestion would have tively low prices of foodstuffs, draw the attention of the Powers occurred in the opinion of Mr. which, Sir John states,

reacts to the Japanese aggressions and Lynch: that this did not happen favourably upon the well-being thus the international

pres- the

credit 13 due to of many more people than those sure to bear upon Japan; second- Mr. J. E. Baker and to directly affected by the floods, ly, resist by force any further Mr. C. P. Chow, Man- and for whom the Commission is aggressions by Japan; and, ager for the Commission of the responsible.-Kuo Min. thirdly, rally the people, to the support of the Government. Vice-Minister Kan said that cer- tain definite results are expected to be achieved by the time the Council of the League of Nations re-convenes on the 25th inst.

the

"I would rather that it stayed where it is," I pleaded. "Then when the enemy invade the garden we need not waste time by stringing He also categorically denied in distress signal to the pole." reports that the Foreign Slowly he descended, hot and "All right," said Peter. "There's Ministry has entered into secret flushed and with his knees bleeding.nothing like being prepared."agreements with Japan recognis- He dropped the last five feet and Manchester Guardian.

ing the latter's special interests looked up at the flapping piece of cotton with a satisfied expression in his eyes.

"That's good landmark, isn't it?" he said.

"Good enough, for what it's worth. I don't know how it'll affect

my wireless reception, though."

He was not impressed.

"Do you think they could see that

fifty miles away? "he asked.

in Manchuria. He also repudiat ed reports of the alleged pro- posed interview between Mr. Eugene Chen and Mr. Shige- mitsu.

With reference to the report- ed invasion of Kwangsi by the French

Indo-China colonial forces, the Vice-Minister point ed out that the. Foreign Ministry

DIRECTING THE PEOPLE'S

MOVEMENT IN CHINA

in

respect to these popular organisa-dered as "mass" or "popular" mova- tions," the right of initiative being ments, and which has invariably left entirely to the constituent been associated with demonstra members themselves.

Nanking, January 11. "Who's 'they?"

Attributing the past failure of "Oh, pirates or invaders or any-popular movements to the manipula- body. Suppose we were trapped in tion by extraneous elements with this garden and the enemy tried to ulterior motives, Mr. Chang Chi- 8. The constituent members of break through the gate, we could peng, Chairman of the Committee occupational organisations, such as keep them at bay with sticks and for the Direction of People's move-guilds, Inbour unions and associs stones and signal for help from the mente, in a statement issued to-day, tions of liberal professions, shall be top of the wireless pole." Peter's declared that directing the confined only to persons engaged in eyes were burning with imagination. people's movements, the supreme such occupation or professions. No "A happy thought," I said, but aim of the Committee, will be to extraneous elements should be ad-

facilitate the realisation of local mitted to such organisations. my sarcasm was lost on Peter.

"You never know what might hap- self-government as well as to pro-

4. In the direction of popular pen, you know," he continued. "Imote the well-being of the people. think we ought to build up that part Mr. Chang deplores the fact that movemente, scrupulous respect for of the wall that's broken, and the popular movements prior to law shall be observed, so that the strengthen the gate. And I think 1027 were rather too radical, while rule law may be established. Those responsible for direction we ought to bury a store of am-those after 1027 have become too

should refrain absolutely from munition in the corner there. We reactionary. All this is due to the legal interferences with the activi- could fortify this place quite well? fact that such movements were ties of the people's organisations. He looked round my humble back manipulated by extraneous elementa 5. The supreme aim, in directing garden with a critical eye.

Are you expecting an invasion1": I asked. But he did not heed me. ́.

"By the way," he said, "how long do you think you could live in this garden If we were surrounded by 1. For the time being, the organ-

the enemy?****

I didn't need to think long about that Perhaps twenty-four hours if it didn't rain," I said. "I might be able to find an odd carrot or one of last year's turnips buried. some. where. I might even be able to light a fire and boil some potatoes.""

for ulterior purposes."

Mr. Chang outlined the policies of the newly-created Committee, as follows:-

lsation of the various civic bodies, shall conform to the laws and regulations now in force Beorgan- isstion should be effected only after such laws have been duly

The various Party tera should serve merely visory and directive

people's movements, shall be the completion of local self-governme

in accordance with the “Funda- mentals of National Reconstruc tion," as well as the tion,

1

of the former National Govern- ment at Canton had already lodged with the French Govern- ment a strong protest regarding this matter. Replying through its consular representatives, the French Government gave the as- surance that it has, absolutely no intention to encroach upon Chin- cse. territory and that the re- ports in question are groundless. No further trouble is expected in this connection-Yo Min.

A PORTUGUESE VAGRANT.

An

ühemployed. Portuguese, Egas Manuel Victor Remedios (34), of no fixed abode, was, this morning, brought before Mr. J. A. Fraser at the Kowloon Magistracy tions, parades, or other similar mass on a charge of being a vagrant. actions, denotes actually nothing Defendant, who gave himself up more than people's self-governing to the Polfee, was in a sick con- activities. It does not necessarily dition. He has, it is understood, mean mob action. The term, as relatives at Homuntin, but, owing used by the Party Authorities, de to his alleged wild ways, they re- notes merely the self-governing ac fuse to have anything to do with tivities, of such popular organisa hím. tions, as chambers, of commerce, The Magistrate ordered his re- labour unions, guilds and other moval: to the House; of Detention, similar elvle bodies-Kuo Min. pending further arrangements.

JAMES DUNN

COMING SOON TO THE KING'S

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Jang

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