CHINESE REPRISALS

Sun (Auckland), Volume III, Issue 893, 10 February 1930, Page 9

CHINESE REPRISALS

POSTAL BAN ON CRITIC NEWSPAPERS RAILWAYS DISORGANISED

Reed. 10.20 a.m. SHANGHAI, Sun. Consistent with its policy of withholding postal privileges from newspapers which criticise Government procedure, the Tientsin branch of the Kuo Min Tang has postally banned the “Peking and Tientsin Times,” which is an influential British organ. The paper recently attacked the Chinese Government’s lethargy regarding outrages against foreign missionaries in the interior. The banning of foreign newspapers from the mails has recently become a popular Governmental pastime locally. The “Shanghai Evening Post,” the only American daily, is passing its 95th day of banishment without any official explanation being offered. It is believed to be the result of having criticised the administration of the lccal Chinese military commander. WASTE ON RAILWAY

Trenchant criticism, alleging corruption, mismanagement and the unnecessary waste of money, is contained in a report submitted by an American railway expert, Mr. John Mantell, who recently arrived, at the Chinese Government's invitation, to study aud report on China’s national railways. ■

His memorandum yesterday, submitted at the request of Mr. Sun Fo, Minister of Railways, 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, and there is much fuel wastage and unnecessary double tracking. A neglect of preservation of equipment is also shown, and numerous bridges are almost collapsing, endangering the services. Strangely enough. Mr. Mantell’s report omits reference to the effect of military operations on the railways, which are generally known to be principally responsible for the present disorganisation.