1940-12-09 — Page 14

The ROLLS RAZOR

PROMISES A LIFETIME OF PERFECT SHAVES

USE IT IN CONJUNCTION WITH A ROLLS SHaving miRROR TO GET THE GREATEST SATISFACTION

THE HONGKONG DISPENSARY

A. S. WATSON & CO., LTD.

EST. 1841

TEL. 20016

Monday,

HONGKONG TELEGRAPH

Only full-sized

economy car ever built. ...

THE

STUDEBAKER CHAMPION

THE STUDEBAKER CHAMPION is the only full-sized economy car ever built... Large enough to be comfortable without being crowded but small enough to permit' extreme economical ope- ration at all speeds. Takes any hill in Hongkong on top gear. Try one to-day. No obligation.

HONGKONG HOTEL GARAGE

Stubbs Road

RCA VICTOR

MODEL QZI

NEVER BEFORE SO MUCH RADIO

VALUE for so little

RCA VICTOR

MODEL QZO

If your taste inclines to modern plastic design... RCA Victor Model Q20 is the set for you! If you prefer a cabinet formed of richly grained woods... fully tropic-proofed... ask us to show you RCA Victor Model Q21..

Both are 5-tube sets... with 2-Point Tone Control. and 2-Band Coverage. The two tuning ranges cover from 540 to 1800 kcs., on the standard, broadcast band, and from 4600 to 18,000 kcs., on short waves !

For sets of such amazing quality... for sets so smartly styled for sets that are packed full of "high-priced features... these two new RCA Victor models are priced surprisingly low!

FREE DEMONSTRATION AT:-

CHINA EMPORIUM, LTD. CHUEN YEE HONG

CHUNG YUEN ELEC CO. HOLT'S RADIO & ELEC, LAB, PETER MUSIC CO.

RADIO & ELECTRIC SERVICE 8. MOUTRIE & CO., LTD. TSANG FOOK, PIANO Co. VICTORIA RÁDIO SHOPPE WING ON CO., LTD.

Under the Distinguished Patronage of H.E. the Acting Governor.

THE HONGKONG SINGERS assisted, by Y. K. SZE (bass) and a String Orchestra

will give a

The

Tel. 27778-9

Hongkong Telegraph.

Monday, December 9, 1940. Wyndham St., Hongkong

Telephone: 20010

Tite prefix "Special to the Telegraph” is used by the "gtongkong Telegraph" to Indicate news which is strictly copyright under the provisions of the Telecommuni. cations Ordinance, 1936. Buch newL AL bears the indication "Up" is received in Bongkang on the date of publication by the United Press Associations, who re- serve all rights and forbid republications, aither wholly or in part without previous Arrangement,

BRITAIN'S TRADE

THE drop of nearly eight million pounds in Great Britain's export figures for October as compared with September per- haps need some clarification, especially FLH German propa- ganda has been quick to seize upon this decline as a proof that the U-boat campaign and bomb. ing raids have been successful. The actual figures for the month show that exports totalled £23,- 000,000. In September they reached £31,000,000, Imports during the same period totalled £85,000,000-an increase of £23,000,000 over the figure for October of last year-and-an- increase of £4,500,000 over September this year.

Ав

While Britain can afford to admit quite frankly that a certain percentage of the decline shown may be due to transport and port difficulties arising from German bombing, that by no means is the whole explanation. In fact, reports have clearly shown that the disruption to business caused by raids has been comparatively small.. an example, Germany claimed that Southampton had been completely devastated; that the people had fled and that it had been converted into a dead city. Yet it is known that the bus service in Southampton functioning normally within 48 hours of the raid. Buses would hardly be operated in a city that had been "wiped out."

Was

There are, in fact, a number of sound reasons which account for the drop in Britain's export figures for October, the first of which is the change which as been effected in customs pro- cedure, including the abolition for a large proportion of goods consigned to the British Empire,

CONCERT OF MADRIGALS of the system of ro-entry of

AND PART-SONGS

on Thursday, December 19th, 1940. at 9.30 p.m. in the

ROSE ROOM, PENINSULA HOTEL.

Tickets $3, $2, 91, obtainable at Peninsula Hotel & Hongkong Hotel.

All proceeds will be given to the Lord Mayor's Fund

for the relief of air raid viclima.

-

December 9, 1940.

Begin Reading To-day The Serialisation of JANE AUSTEN'S IMMORTAL NOVEL

The film stars Groor Garson and Laur-

ence Olivier

Chapter One

MARRIAGE IS THE THING

The splendid cavalende clattering into the quiet English village of Meryton that bright May morning, rudely disturbed the sleepy tran quillity of the little town,

Two smartly liveried grooms on horseback preceded the elegant chaise drawn by four horse with uniformed men on its box. Two shining carriages, each drawn by a fine pair. carrying servants, luggage and dogs, followed in the rear.

Not that Meryton had' never before seen resplendent retinues. No indeed! The furore, which shook to the depths every home that housed marriageable daugh. lers,

caused Was

by the occupants of the chaise, and by the reason for their arri- val.

The two handsome, dis- tinguished gentlemen who rode in the chaise had come to take up permanent resi dence at Netherfield Park, the finest estate in the country. Better than that--and the glad tidings spread like wild- fire to every hearth-Mr. Darcy and Mr. Bingley were bachelors, Rich bachelors! The lady who accompanied them was Miss Bingley, who offered no complication inas- much as she was engaged to a young man from London.

In no household was there more excitement than the Bennet's. Mrs. Bennet was beside herself with joy. And why not? What other Mery- ton matron had five marriage- -able-daughters,-with-not-a- penny of dowry for any of them?

Mrs. Bennet, as would any good mother of that day when, matrimony was a girl's only hope and career, pursued husbands for her five girls like a baying hound on the scent of a fox. Not all the charming wit of her eldest, Elizabeth, nor the beauty and modesty of Jane, nor the. bespectacled pretentions to intellect of Mary, nor the flighty pursuit of handsome officers by Lydia and Kitty, nor the sardonic humour of her barrister husband could stay her.

Mr. Bennet's casual calm usually kept the household on an even keel. Yet, even his imperturbability threatened to break under Mrs. Bennet's barrage.

*Mr.

Bennet," she stormed. "You must go over to Netherfield Park and pay your respects. If you don't. Sir William and Lady Lucas will get there before us. Her pushing way of trying to get her Charlotte married is revolting

"I tell you what I'll do, my

assuring over a note

Mr. Bingley and Mr. Darcy of my hearty consent to their marrying though I must throw in a word whichever they choose of the girls

for my Lizzy."

and answered blandly. "I'll

"Elizabeth is not. a bit better than the others!" she retorted. "Why do you, always give her pro- ference?"

documents before cargoes aro shipped. This change resulted in delay in making entries from

They're all silly and ignorant like most girls," he sighed, "but which the customs returns were

Lizzy hus some

glimmerings of compiled for October, but will

кепва."

Mr. Bennett" not recur, while the total will be

Mrs. Bennet's rectified in

tears began ta flow. "How 'can the November

'you be so resigned to your dough- figures.. Apart from this change in procedure, a large larger measure to re-inforcing reduction has been made in Em- and supplying the Middle East piro imports of non-essential armies and in particular, alding consumers' goods. This ban on the Greeks, where the presence pon-essentials, while affecting of men, materials, airforce and export figures was made in order navy has been instrumental in to release all possible resources encouraging as well as assisting for the war effort. Shipping that gallant people in their has thus been made available in struggle for liberty,

kister of hera-Miss Elizabeth. They say the has a lively wit."

"A provincial young lady with 'a lively wit?" Darcy exclaimed, "Heaven preserve ust And that mother of hers"

"It's not the mother you have to dance with, Durcy" Bingley in- terrupted. "It's the daughter.

She's churning."

"Oh, I admit she's tolerable enough-considering the class she comes from." Darcy shrugged as they started to move away, "But I'm in no humour for low life this evening."

Elizabeth rose from her chair and peered out after them. "Well --what charming man!" Shie

樣

PRIDE AND

PREJUDICE

Adapted from the Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer

Picture

by GERTRUDE GELBIN

ters growing up to be penniless uld maids-leaving all your money to that cousin of yours-that ndious Mr. Collins."

Mr. Bennet almost lost his tem- per. "For the thousandth time, my dear. this estate was entalled when I inherited it. It must by law go to a male hele-a male hair, Mrs. Bennet. And, as you possi- bly remember, we have no son"

"All the more reason why you should take some responsibility about getting husbands for your daughters," she cried. "But you

Into escape

your unintelligible books and leave all that to me."

Certainly, Mrs. Bennet assumed full responsibility the night of the Assembly Ball, that Meryton event which marked the first public up- pearance of Mr. Darcy and Mr. Bingley. For the hundredth time, the anxious mother posed lovely Jane, admonished Elizabeth, scold- ed Mary and cautioned Lydia and Kitty against their preoccupation with the uniformed officers who Uuronged the hall.

A sigh of rellet escaped her. when at last, after what seemed like hours of waiting, she saw Mr. Darcy enter the room,

To say that Elizabeth Bennet's heart didn't. skip a beat would be untrue. She had too much spirit and intelligence and was too much time not to be a product of her conscious of the fact that rich,

were eligible bachelors -

perfect grist for the marriage mill."

"What a handsome young man Mr. Darcy is!" exclaimed Mrs. Bennet.

- "And doesn't he know it" Eliza- bell observed with a mischievous smile.

"I like Mr. Bingley better," Jane mused. "Mr. Darcy's 80-50

"So supercilious," Elizabeth An- Ished. "But he does have pen air about him." -

Jane's eyes grew suddenly bright. Sir William was heading directly for them with Mr. Bingley in tow. Mr. Bingley was promptly present- ed Lo the Bennets and quite an promptly asked Jane to dance. As they moved toward the floor, Lydin denced by with handsome officer. "Lizzle!" Lydia shouted, "This

Mr. Wickham. He wants to meet

you. He thinks

you're a lovely creature."

IA

to

Elizabeth flushed at her sister's boisterousness, but bowed smil- ing to Mr. Wickham who acknow- ledged the Introducction with a gay laugh. Elizabeth then turned greet her friend, Charlotte Lucas, "Have you no partner for this dance,

Lizzy?" Charlotte asked banteringly. "Well, neither have 1."

"Shall we brazen it out in the open?" Elizabeth laughed. "Or shall we go into hiding? I know of a good place."

"Lond on," Charlotte Inmented with mock seriousness, and the two girls made for a small alcove off the ballroom.

As they sat down, out of sight, Darcy moved into view and loung- ed disconsolately against the wall, The dance over, Bingley Joined

him.

"Come, Darcy," he remarked. by yourself in this stupid way. "I hate to see you stalking about. Why don't you dance. The place is full of pretty girls."

Elizabeth and Charlotte, hidden

in the alcove, but completely with in hearing of the conversation, ex- changed glance one--and you've monopollued her," Darcy replied.. "Isn't Miss Jane lovely!". Bling- 'ley sald happily. "But there's that

"I've only scen

set her mouth angrily and fanned herself to cool her temper.

"You mustn't be offended, Lizzy," Charlotte consoled. "He didn't know you could hear."

,"What difference does that make?" demanded Elizabeth furi- uusty. "It's not my bearing that mutters--it's the fact that he said it! The compincent, self-satisfied *'arrogance the mant Oh, i

makes me so angry!"

of

A young man advanced and claimed Charlotte for the next dance. Elizabeth look a seat along. the wall. In another moment, Sir William approached with Darcy:

"Miss Elizabeth," beamed Sir William, "may I have the honour to present Mr. Darcy? He is eager to invite you to dance."

Darcy smiled at her. "Now that you have been forewarned of my eagerness to dance with you, may I hope you will do me the honour."

Elizabeth smiled back coolly. "I'm afraid the honour of standing. up with you is more than could bear, Mr. Darcy. Pray excuse me."

He stared at her in amazement. "Are you saying you don't care to dance with me, Miss Bennet?"

Elizabeth's smile Have way to stony pride. "I'm begging to be excused, sir."

"It's my loss, I'm sure," he an- swered coldly,

"You perhaps know best about that, sir," was her calm rejoiner.

At that moment, Mr. Wickham, Lydin's officer. appeared. He greeted Elizabeth, then turned to Darcy with smiling good humour. Darcy stared at him, his face darkening

"Mr. Darcy," sald Elizabeth, "may I present Mr. Wickham."

of

"Mr. Darcy and I have met be- fore," Wickham said cosunily. Darcy, making no movement salution toward Wickham, bow- ed stiffly to Elizabeth and walked away.

She stared after him, ustonished and incensed by his manner. "The man must be mad," she said.

"Mad?" Wickham smiled. "You're too charitable, Miss Eliza- beth. If you were better quainted with him, you would see another man."

00-

"Have you known him a long time?" she asked in amazement.

"Since, childhood. But, as you enw, we're not on friendly terms. You see-well-my father steward of the Darcy estates."

The Mere

Man

Control

Of Rice Prices

Government

last week ne complished very timely act by fixing the retail prices of rice which had gone up out of all proportion to the real situation and which, but for official action, would certainly have been forced even higher. But let the Government not stop there. It should at once proceed to re-examino the situation as a whole and devise means to en-

sure that in future prices will not have to be pegged any higher than they are.

upon

Distress, widespread as it is, would only be made the more. severe if, through lack of fore- sight and preparation, any real increase in the cost of rice im- ports should result in the fixing of new maximum prices, thus passing the burden back the suffering poor. If cheap rice can be guaranteed only at finan- cial loss, then Government should be ready to meet it with taxpayers' money, and tax- payers, I am sure, would be will- ing to face ancrifice. Chinese

Success

In Hupeh

It may be that the Sino- Japanese war has lasted too long to COM- mand more than the ordinary interest of the average news=" paper reader; ever spectacular events do not seem to be impres sive. Whatever the reason, the recent Japanese operations in Hupeh and the successful Chinese counter-measures do not appear to be so generally talked about as other similarly significant moves in the past. Taierchwang exploded the myth of Japanese invincibility and gave China new hope; the latest Hupch battle, in which the Chinese ran rings round their adversary, is the fulfilment of that hope.

"Ran rings round their adversary" is right, too. The Japanese, who have always fought according to the book and never with much Ingenuity or resourcefulness, once agals tried their much-touted pincer movement. The Chinese tactical

icipated the whole and cleverly manoeuvred themselves so that the

Japanese had nothing worth while around which to close their pincers. It was the Japanese who were sur- 'rounded.

There has been a paucity of news about this battle, but there seems to

no doubt that the Chinese have scored a victory sufficiently effective to prove that the hope engendered at Talerchwang was based on something solid. The Hupeh battle is not the end of the war; more battles, per- hops, will still have to be fought; but henceforth, confidence will do much. to help Chinese arms and hasten the day of reckoning for Japan

General Li Tsung-Jen, the gentiu of Talerchwang, has scored another brilliant success. One of the "Big Two" of Kwangsi, he has shown that he and General Pai Chung-hsi more- than earn the trust reposed in the by the Contra! Government and the Chinese people.

Are

the people

Mysterious who give nows to

Authority reporters

more

modest nowadays, or Icas sure of themselves, or are reporters getting their information from other than properly authorlin- tive sources and attempting to hide this fact? In any event, I notice that, in other countries as well as in Hongkong, anonyms hold sway.

an ordinary news- Speaking as wus

paper reader, my favourite character

ta nowadays either "Government spokesman" or "Leading authority," I am not sure which. "Military ex- port" comes in for a favourite place. "Leading authority" scored very heavily the other day. He “de- · clared that the figures of non- combatants killed in recent, raids on London are small compared with the total clyll population or with the losses of the fighting services in this or the last war.".

Elizabeth blushed for. Darcy's anobbish pride. "Without know- ing anything more, I'm on your side," she cried.

Jane, meanwhile, was glowing with the delight of being presented by Mr. Dingley to his sister.

"When one's accustomed to the fashionable world of London," Miss. Bingley remarked, then stopped with an elegant, deprecating ges. lure. "Frankly. Miss Jane, you strike me as the only civilized per- son in the room."

"Oh, you're unfair to the others," Jane protested.

Miss

*her arm Bingley

Patted patronisingly. "Sweet child. What a charming disposition. You must come over to Netherfeld one day. I shall be so bored, you know,. marooned out here in the wilder- ness. We'll arrange it, shall we? Very soon?"

what happens when Jans visit: the Bingley estate? Wit-Ellen. beth see Darcy again? -- Read to- morrow's chapter,

To reach that conclusion, ik is. necessary to be a leading authority. No ordinary porton

would ever suspect such a thing.

Then there is a “high_official” who says that "there are only two alter natives before the Italians to retreat or to fight on."

There are also "Government or cles,"

How lucky we all are to be-sur- rounded, hedged in and propped up by so many cohorts of brillant-but. mysterious--chatterboxes)

Claudius

י