Purges In China

Press, Volume CVI, Issue 31098, 29 June 1966, Page 16

Purges In China

Sir,—“P.J.A.” gives ’ his reasons for the purge in China. Could he tell us what happens to the individuals who are purged, or at least hazard his guess?—Yours, etc., FODIAN. June 27, 1966. ,

Sir,—“P.J.A.” gives us his China: “Woe betide any intellectual who would think himself on a different level to the worker,” and “The Chinese realise that workers came before engineers.” This is contradictory for the engineer (the intellectual) as he must therefore consider himself on “a different level to the worker,” below him. “P.J.A.” is still in the barrow and banjo era if he believes our construction workers are regarded as “chippers.” Twenty years ago rehabifitation building trainees would be asked for “approval and suggestions” and many became “P.J.A.’s” bugbear, individual businessmen and tradesmen. The reason for the purges, may be that “approval and suggestions” have got out of hand at all levels in China. Someone may be saying, “You know what to do with your dam” after it has been built.—Yours, etc., A. B. CEDARIAN. June 27, 1966.