CHINESE TROUBLE

Hokitika Guardian, 10 February 1930, Page 5

CHINESE TROUBLE

CHINESE RETALIATION

[United Press Association.—By Electric Telegraph.—Copyright.]

(Received this day at 10 a.m.) SHANGHAI, Feb. 9.

Consistent with its policy of withholding postal privileges from newspapers criticising Governmental procedure, the Tientsin branch of the Kuomin tang, has postally banned the Peking and Tientsin Times, which is of iniiueiitial British origin. It recently attacked the Chinese Government’s lethargy regarding the outrages against the foreign missionaries in the interior.

The banning of foreign newspapers from mails lias recently become a popular Governmental pastime. Locally the Shanghai Evening Post, the oqly American daily, is passing through a period of banishment without any 7 official explanation being offered. It is believed to be the result of having critiicsed the administration of the local Chinese military commander.

CHINESE RAILWAY MANAGEMENT.

SHANGHAI, Feb. 9,

Trenchant criticism, alleging corruption, mismanagement and unnecessary waste, of money, was contained in a report submitted by American railway expert, John Mantell, who recently arrived at the Chinese Government's invitation to study and report on China’s national railways. His memorandum was yesterday submitted at the request of Sunfo, Minister of Railways. It states the country’s railway affairs are being handled on a very improper business basis. The rates are too high by 15 to, 20 per cent. There is much fuel wastage and unnecessary double tracking, also neglect of 'pireservatioin of equipment. Numerous bridges are almost collapsing endangering the services. Strangely Mr Mantell’s report omits any reference to the effect of the military operations on the railways, which it is generally known, are principally responsible for the present disorganisation.