1079 documents
871/1079 results        
Archive
ID885
NameProhibition of Street Advertising by "Sandwichmen"
TitleProhibition of sandwichmen in the International Settlement
Year1930
AuthorShanghai Municipal Council; French Municipal Council; Shanghai Advertisers' Guild; Hu Yi-chi Advertising Agency; Chinese Ratepayers' Association,
CollectionShanghai Municipal Archives (SMA)
Sub collectionShanghai Municipal Council (SMC)
Reference NumberU1-3-3917 (1618-1672)
Repository typeArchive
Description

Prohibition of Street Advertising by "Sandwichmen". 1928-1930. Source: SMA (SMC), U1-3-3917 (1618-1672). 

Report from Commissioner of Police to Secretary. Shanghai, May 28, 1930. Source: SMA (SMC), U1-3-3917 (1620).

A few months ago the Chairman requested me to condiser the possibility and advisability of imposing some restriction on the operation of sandwich men on the streets of the Settlement.

This question has been given careful consideration nad the concensus of opinion is that some restriction is undoubtedly required. Naturally the obstruction of traffic generally is more prevalent in the business district but it would be impracticable to restrict their operations to any particular area. 

The Municipal Advocate advises me that the Council is empowered by Bye-Law 36 to make reasonable traffic regulations and suggests the following regulation for consideration: "The passage or ranking of vehicles, or the movement, standing, sitting or loitering of persons upon the roadways or sidewalks, for the sole purpose of displaying advertising placards or matter is prohibited". If this meets with the Council's approval I recommend that the regulation be enforced with effect from July 1 (1930).  

Letter No. 187 from Secretary to Traffic Committee. Shanghai, May 29, 1930. Source: SMA (SMC), U1-3-3917 (1621).

Police report made at the instance of the Chairman of the Council, suggesting the prohibition of street advertising by "sandwichmen". If members favour the Police views, I would suggest that the intent would be made clearer by a more simplified woding of the proposed traffic regulation, viz: "The use of persons, animals, vehicles and conveyances in the roadways or footpaths for the sole purpose of displaying advertisements is prohibited". 

Letter from Secretary to Commissioner of Police. Shanghai, June 5, 1930. Source: SMA (SMC), U1-3-3917 (1622).

The recommendation contained in your report of May 28 is approved, that the use of persons and vehicles for the sole purpose of displaying advertisements on the roadways or sidewalks is prohibited. A somewhat modifed form of the proposed Traffic Regulations on this subject has been adopted, and has been embodied in a Municipal Notification of which a copy is enclosed herewith. 

Letter from S.M.C Secretary to French Municipal Administration. Shanghai, June 6, 1930. Source: SMA (SMC), U1-3-3917 (1623).

I have the honour to forward herewith a draft Municipal Notification, setting forth a new Traffic Regulation, which has been approved by the Council for enforcement from July 1, next.  

Municipal Notification No. 3986. "Traffic Regulations". Shanghai, June 12, 1930. Source: SMA (SMC), U1-3-3917 (1624).

Notice is hereby given that the following new Traffic Regulations as been approved, and will be enforced from July 1, 1930: "63 - The use of persons, animals, vehicles and conveyances in the roadways or footpaths for the sole purpose of displaying advertisements is prohibited". By order, S.M. Edwards, Secretary. Municipal Notification No. 3986 - Traffic Regulations. Council Chamber, Shanghai, June 19, 1930

Translation of letter to Council from Shanghai Advertisers' Guild (上海特別市廣告同業公會), dated 26th June, 1930. "Moving Advertisements". Shanghai, June 26, 1930. Source: SMA (SMC), U1-3-3917 (1625-1626).

Moving Advertisements. A letter from Hu Yi-chi (胡一己), Director of the Hu Yi-chi Advertising Agency, and member of this guild, states as follows: "It is reported that the Municipal Council of the International Settlement proposes to prohibit "moving advertisements" from 1st July. The reason of this publication is not known.  A moving advertisement is one of the many methods of advertising in the world and there is no precedent anywhere for its prohibition, why is it to be suddenly prohibited? It is presumed that the object is to uphold the peace and order in the city. But a moving advertisement does not in any way disturb the peace and good order. It is not merely a means of advertising, but it also affords employment to many poor and unemployed people. The men engaged in advertising processions obtain their wages daily and are thus kept from cold and hunger; any improper acts that micht otherwise be committed by them are prevented. If the prohibition is enforced, those who count on their daily wages to procure the necessaries of life will be at a loss to fing other occupation, and society will then inevitably be affected. The Advertisers' Guild is therefore asked to xrite to the Municipal Council to enquire whether the prohibition will be enforced or not, and in case of enforcement to reasonably and frankly request that the prohibition be withdran so that the publicity of business establishements will not be lessened and the business of the Advertising Agency may be protected."

This Guild finds that a "moving advertisement" is a method of business publicity which does not affect public safety. On the (p.2/2) contrary it provides employment for many indigent people. If the prohibition is enforced advertising agencies and the poor who depend on this form of advertising for their living will suffer. Furthermore, the advertising in question is of great advantage to businessmen and industrialists. The Council is asked to rescind the present decision in sympathy for those who may suffer. (Chopped) Shanghai Advertisers' Guild. 

Traffic Regulations. "Prohibition of "Sandwich" Men. Press Clipping, Published 1/8/30. Shanghai, August 1, 1930. Source: SMA (SMC), U1-3-3917 (1626).

On June 12, the Council issued a notification that, with effect from July 1, the use of persons, animals, vehicles and conveyances in the roadways or footpaths for the sole purpose of displaying advertisements would be prohibited. Since that date, communications have been received from the Hu Yi-chi Advertising Agency and the Chinese Ratepayers Association (on behalf of the same agency) asking that the prohibition be withdrawn "so that the business of this advertising agency may be protected". Consideration has been given by the Council to the communications received and a reply has been despatched intimating that the Council is unwilling to rescind the regulation but that, in order to allow sufficient time for this type of business to be wound up and for persons engaged therein to find other forms of employment the Council is prepared to postpone the enforcement of the regulations until October 1.


Translation of letter to Secretary from the Shanghai Chinese Ratepayers' Association, Dated 27th June, 1930. Shanghai, June 27, 1930. Source: SMA (SMC), U1-3-3917 (1628-1629).

Moving Advertisements. This Association has just received a letter from Shanghai Advertisers' Guild stating as follows: "According to a letter received from Hu Yi-chi (胡一己), Director of the Hu Yi-chi Advertising Agency, the Council proposes to prohibit moving advertisements from 1st July.  A moving advertisement is one of the many methods of advertising in the world and there is no precedent anywhere for its prohibition. It is presumed that the object is to uphold the peace and order in the city. But a moving advertisement does not in any way disturb the peace and good order. It affords employment to many poor and unemployed people. The men engaged in advertising processions obtain their wages daily and are thus kept from cold and hunger; any improper acts that micht otherwise be committed by them are prevented. If the prohibition is enforced, those who count on their daily wages to procure the necessaries of life will be at a loss to find other occupations, and society will then inevitably be affected. The Advertisers' Guild is therefore asked to xrite to the Municipal Council to enquire whether the prohibition will be enforced or not, and in case of enforcement to reasonably and frankly request that the prohibition be withdran so that the publicity of business establishements will not be lessened and the business of the Advertising Agency may be protected." 
This Guild finds that a "moving advertisement", mentioned in the letter from Hu Yi-chi,  does not affect public safety but on the contrary it provides employment for many indigent people. The Chinese Ratepayers' Association being an organization seeking to protest the Chinese people, is asked to render assistance in this matter". The Council is accordingly asked to consider the question and to favour with a reply. (Chopped) Shanghai Chinese Ratepayers' Association. 

Report No. A 4157 from Commissioner of Police to Secretary. "Moving Advertisements". Shanghai, July 12, 1930. Source: SMA (SMC), U1-3-3917 (1636).

With reference to your 5608/1 of July 4, I have to oppose the rescinding of Municipal Notification No. 3986 as the Suppression of sandwich men etc. is proving beneficial to traffic in reducing obstraction to pedestrians on pavements in congested areas. 

Regarding the arguments advanced by the Hu Yi Che Advertising Agency, I have to make the following comments. 
(1) The prohibition is made in order to improve Traffic Conditions and is only remotely connected with Peace and Good Order. 
(2) The men employed to carry sandwich boards are not as a rule bona fide residents of the Settlement but are drawn from the beggar villages outside limits. 
(3) Many cities now prohibit sandwich men. 
(4) There are many alternative and better methods of reaching the Public with advertisements which did not exist years ago. 
(5) Doubtless handsome profits are made by these agencies through the use of sandwich men which is usually sweated labour of the worst form, the usual remuneration beoing a bowl of rice and few coppers per day.
 

Letter from Yun Chun Linn, LL.B. (on behalf of his client Hu Yi-Kee Advertising Agency) to Secretary. Shanghai, July 17, 1930. Source: SMA (SMC), U1-3-3917 (1637).

I have the honour to write you upon the instructions of my clients, Hu Yi Kee Advertising Company, to the following effect: - My clients are the proprietors of parades or processions advertising concerns, and are surprised to know that a new traffic regulation which prohibits the use of persons, animals, vehicles and conveyances in the roadways or footpaths for the sole purpose of displaying advertisements has come into force since July 1930. 

Certainly your Honorable Council must have important reasons in passing the above regulation, it seems the chiefest among them is the elimination of the obstruction to traffic. But permit me to point out to your Honorable Council that thousands of poor people depend upon the advertising business for subsistance, and the enforcement of the above regulations litterally means the deprivation of livelihood of thousands of poor people and their families. It is important to regulate traffic, but it is still more important to provide means of support for poor people; congested traffic is a thing which ought to demand attention and consideration, but the loss of employment but hundreds and thousands is a problem which deserves the greatest attention and highest consideration and will surely relegate the question of traffic into the insignifiant back-ground. The advertising parade always kept in good order and appearing here and there in this big city of shanghai, will be only a drop of water in the heavy sea of busy traffic and will be no means seriously affect the communication, but the unemployed thousands of poor people will be a new enlistement in the force of criminal offenders, especially in this critical period of depressed conditions. Thus the parade advertising will serve as preventive means to perpetration for crimes and ultimately help to promote the welfare of the community and to preserve peace and order of Shanghai. 

My clients have a head office in Hongkong and branch office in Shanghai. In Hongkong the advertising procession has been carred on for many years without any restrictions from the authorities and no permit or licence of whatever nature is required and so in cities of most other countries. There is also a fact, which deserves your honorable consideration, that no disturbance or accident has never been attributed to the existence of parade advertising during its long life. My clients will express their fellings of deepest appreciation and gratitude if you will kindly stay the execution of above regulation and refer the matter to the next Council for repeal. 

Hoping you will kindly have the matter in your preferred attention and let me have a reply at your earliest convenience.
 

Report from Commissioner of Police to Secretary. "Moving Advertisements - Ref. No. 5608/1 of 18-07-30." Shanghai, July 21, 1930. Source: SMA (SMC), U1-3-3917 (1638).

I have nothing to add to the comment forwarded under this office No. 4157 of July 12 beyond noting that traffic conditions in Shanghai are totally different from those revailing in Hongkong.
 

Secretary to Traffic Committee. "Street Advertising by 'Sandwich Men'". Shanghai, July 22, 1930. Source: SMA (SMC), U1-3-3917 (1639).

Police report made at the instance of the Chairman of the Council, suggesting the prohibition of street advertising by "sandwichmen". If members favour the Police views, I would suggest that the intent would be made clearer by a more simplified woding of the proposed traffic regulation, viz: "The use of persons, animals, vehicles and conveyances in the roadways or footpaths for the sole purpose of displaying advertisements is prohibited".
 
Secretary to Council Members. "Moving Advertisement". Shanghai, July 24, 1930. Source: SMA (SMC), U1-3-3917 (1640).

Letters from the Advertisers' Guild, the Shanghai Chinese Ratepayers" Association and Mr. Yun Chin Linn, regarding the recent decision to prohibit the operation on the streets and payments of advertising "sandwich" men; with Police comments and file recording this decision. 

It is observed that notice of enforcement of the prohibition form July 1 was given only on June 12. If members are of the view that the Council's decision should be upheld, but that a longer period of notice would be better enabling a winding-up of this form of business; I would suggest that the enforcement of the Regulation be postponed till October 1. The Commissioner of Police has informed me that he has no objection to this. 

Letter from Secretary to Chinese Ratepayers' Association. Shanghai, July 25, 1930. Source: SMA (SMC), U1-3-3917 (1643).

With reference to your letter of June 27, I am directed to send you herewith enclosed copy of a letter which the Council has sent to the Shanghai Advertiser's Guild, regarding its request for the rescission of the regulation of advertising "sandwich" men. 

Letter from Secretary to Yun Chun Linn. Shanghai, July 25, 1930. Source: SMA (SMC), U1-3-3917 (1644).

With reference to your letter of July 17 , I am directed to send you herewith enclosed copy of a letter which the Council has sent to the Shanghai Advertiser's Guild, regarding its request for the rescission of the regulation of advertising "sandwich" men.  

 
Letter from Secretary to Shanghai Advertisers' Guild. Shanghai, July 25, 1930. Source: SMA (SMC), U1-3-3917 (1645).

I am directed to acknowledge receipt of your letter of June 26, requesting that the Council will rescind the recently institued regulation prohibiting the operation on the streets of advertising "sandwich men". 

In reply, I am directed to observe that the regulation was framed in order to improve the general traffic conditions in the Settlement, and that it is very remotely related to the question of public peace and order. The person employed to carry these advertising boards are not as a rule bona fide residents of the Settlement, but are drawn from the beggar villages outside limits. It is considered to be a retrograde measure to allow the continuance indefinitely of a form of advertising which is obsolete in most advanced cities. Moreover, there are at the present time many alternative and better methods of public advertising which formerly did not exist. / In the circumstances, I am directed to inform you that the Council is unwilling to rescind this regulation, but that in order to allow sufficient time for this type of business to be would up and for persons engaged terein to find other forms of employment, the Council is prepared to postpone the enforcement of the regulation until October 1.  

Letter from Yun Chun Linn to Secretary. Shanghai, August 25, 1930. Source: SMA (SMC), U1-3-3917 (1646).

I am instructed by my clients Woo Yih Kee Advertising Company, to acknowledge receipt of your letter of 25th July. 

In reply, I beg to point out to your that the persons engaged in carrying these advertising boards are bona fide residents of the Settlement and not beggards drawn from beyond limits and my clients are prepared, if the Council should think fit, to satisfhy the counsel on this point by registration of employees with the Council. 

Though the regulation in question has the admirable objet of improving the general traffic conditions, yet it is hoped that the Council will not refuse to take notice that the advertising sandwich men are in no way the cause either direct or indirect of the present congested traffic condition. It is the ever increasing population of Settlement which brings along with it ever increasing volume of traffic, and consequently the question of traffic regulation becomes a grave problem. 

Though the parade advertising may be obsolete in most advanced cities, and the regulation prohibiting its operation may but have remote relation to the question of public order and peace, yet it is still a popular mode or advertising in Shanghai, and at the present time of social unrest and widespread unemployment where on sees nothing and hears nothing but retrenchment of expenses, curtailment of staffs, and winding up offirms and corporations, the loss of jobs to several thousands of poor people will not fail to swell the class of loafers and criminals and will not fail to affect public order and peace to a marked degree. 

Since your honorable Council always has the interest of the community at heart and will spare no effort in its improvement, be it over so little, therefore I beg to write you again for the reconsideration of the regulation to the effect that regulation No. 63 to be in force on 1st October be rescinded or postponed indefinitely until a more oppotune time when the social conditions have settled down to more peaceful state and the problem of unemployment has become less serious than at present.  

Report from Commissioner of Police to Secretary. "Moving Advertisements - Ref. No. 5608/1 of 27-08-30". Shanghai, August 28, 1930. Source: SMA (SMC), U1-3-3917 (1647).

There is nothing in the letter of Mr. Yun Chin Linn to justify the rescission of the regulation prohibiting advertisement by means of "sandwich men". 

The regulation was drawn up in order to abolish what was obviously a nuisance from a traffic point of view and I agree with Mr. Yun when he states that "the ever increasing population of Settlement which brings along with it ever increasing volume of traffic" and it is this increase in the traffic that makes it impossible to allow cumbersome obstructions in the street of the Settlement. 
The fact that a few men formerly employed were residents of the Settlement has no bearing on the subject from a traffic point of view.  

Letter from Secretary to S.M.C Director General. Shanghai, August 30, 1930. Source: SMA (SMC), U1-3-3917 (1648).

From Secretary to Director General. For the favour of your attention and instructions. Subject : Prohibition of "sandwich" men. Letter from Mr. Yun Chin Linn with Police report and file. The Council has already refused Mr. Linn's plea that the regulation be rescinded, while conceding an extension of the prohibition date from July 1 to October 1. Mr Linn's present letter fails to advance any material arguments which have not already been consdiered. I suggest adherence to the decision reached on the circular of July 22. 


Letter from Secretary to Yun Chun Linn. Shanghai, August 30, 1930. Source: SMA (SMC), U1-3-3917 (1649).

I am directed to acknowledge receipt of your letter of August 25, renewing your plea that the Council will rescind the regulation prohibiting the operation on the streets and pavements of advertising "sandwich" men. 
In reply, I am directed to inform you that the matter has been further considered but that the Council is unwilling to reverse its decision that this prohibition be enforced with effect from October 1, 1930. 

Translation of letter to Council from Advertisers' Guild (上海特別市廣告同業公會), dated 29th August 1930. "Moving Advertisements". Shanghai, August 29, 1930. Source: SMA (SMC), U1-3-3917 (1650).


With reference to the Council's injunction against moving advertisements, this Guild some time ago wrote to the Council requesting that the order be cancelled in consideration of the difficulties businessmen have to contend with. In its rply of 25th July, the Council promises to defer the enforcement of prohibition until 1st October, but does not consent the withdrawal of the order. This is much regretted. Moving advertisements are at present permitted in France, Japan and other countries. With regard to the fear that such advertisements might disturb public peace and good order, according to Hu I Chi Shanghai Advertising Agency, no disturbances of any kind have ever been reported within more than 10 years through moving advertisements. Moreover, the business of moving advertisement as carried by Hu Yi Chi is only one of many civilzed methods of advertising. In the advertising processions there are no masquerades of improper doings to interfer with a mar any pleasant sight on the roads. This Guild wirtes once more to ask the Council if it is possible in the interest of trade to cancel the prohibition. (Chopped) Shanghai Advertisers' Guild.

Letter from Secretary to Shanghai Advertisers's Guild. Shanghai, September 2, 1930. Source: SMA (SMC), U1-3-3917 (1655).

I am directed to acknowledge receipt of your letter of August 29, renewing your plea that the Council will rescind the regulation prohibiting the operation on the streets and pavements of advertising "sandwich" men. 
In reply, I am directed to inform you that the matter has been further considered but that the Council is unwilling to reverse its decision that this prohibition be enforced with effect from October 1, 1930.  

Translation of a letter from the Chamber of Commerce of Shanghai to Secretary. Shanghai, September 16, 1930. Source: SMA (SMC), U1-3-3917 (1656-1659).

We have the honour to invite your kind attention to the contents of a letter jointly addressed to this Chamber by the Lai Wah Company, the Vogue Company, Limited, the Heung Ha Company, Limited, the Kwong Seng Hong Limited, the Kwan Sen Yuen company, the Sun Sun Company Limited, the Ang Li Hong, and the General Agency in South China for Chang Yue Pionneer Wine Company, Limited. The letter runs thus: "Advertising has such an important bearing upon business extension that it goes hand in hand with commerce. All over the word, no merchant can push forward the sale of his commodities witthout having recourse to publicity. As a result of the general depression of trade caused by the recent gold inflation it is an undeniable fact that the hope of Shanghai merchants to pull themselve through under such miserable circumstances and strive for a bright future rests largely with various means of advertising. 

"According to the newspapers, the Shanghai Municipal Council has decided to prohibit the passage on Municipal Roads of vehicles, men or animals for the sole purpose of advertising, on the ground that 'parade advertising' on public roads affects traffic and public peace. This idea does not seem, in one sense, to be relevant to expediency. But if we go a step further, and view the situation of Shanghai generally, we are awaken of the unadvisability of such a prohibitory measure. It is to be noted that the walfare and prosperity of a city mean that the very foundation of the city is at stake - in which case there would be no use talking of traffic and public peace. Thus as might as well say that the prohibition of "parade advertising" which is a vital factor in commerce, is calculated to be an indirect discouragement, as it were, to the development of commerce. 

Nor is "parade advertising" peculiar to Shanghai. It has been in vogue in Paris, Hongkong and many place of Japan. Would it, then, be reasonable if we say that less importance it to be attached to traffic and public peace in these large cities that in the case of Shanghai? 

"In starting cheap sales or introducing new products into the market we find it necessary to give publicity to our goods by making use of "paraders". One thing however, should be noted. All such "parade" advertising is conducted by the firm of Hu Yih Kee who act as sole agent in this undertaking. The procession of paraders is always, in every sense of the word, well-organized and under the strictest discipline of inspectors, overseers and foremen, who are responsible for the maintainance of perfect order. Moreover, whatever diplayed, has never been a glaring attraction for the public characterised drollery, vulgarity of indecency.  The "paraders" are absolutely submissive to the direction and control of the Police, and very often confine their travelling to using only the sidewalks. This is why there has never been after the long lapse of more than a decade, any case on the file of the Municipal Council, in which traffic of public peace has suffered as a result of such "parade advertising". Fact itself, as represented by the record of the Municipal Council of so many years, will spek for the truth of our statement. That our 'parade advertising" does not in any way affect traffic is all the more evident when we compare it with funeral processions of well-to-do families. These funeral processions often consist of hundreds of men, interrupting the stream of traffic for long hours, while in our case the "paraders" for each procession has never exceeded fourteen men. Would it then occasion any anxiety about the traffic on Municipal roads? / " In the interest of commercial development in Shanghai generally, and for the liberty that advertisers are entitled to enjoy, we hereby submit to you this joint appeal for assistance and hope you will approach the Shanghai Municipal Council with the request that the Council will, out of sympathetic consideration for the hard times with which Shanghai merchants are confronted, rescind the order for the prohibition of "parade advertising" (viz... 'passage on Municipal roads of vehicles, men or animals for the sol purpose of advertising') which is to take effect from October 1 of the current year, and that at the same time a set of rules governing the restriction to such 'parade advertising" will be formulated and promulgated so as to enable us to know what we should observe. 

In view of the prevalence of "parade advertising" in many large cities of the world and in view of the limited numboer of fourteen men in such processions as well as the total absence of any droll, vulgar or indencent representation as stated in the above letter - both of which may be proved by the record of the Shanghai Municipal Council, the belief of these merchants that "parade advertising " will not have any undesirable effect upon traffic or public peace is a justifiable statement. 

That advertising of this kind has been found helpfulf to business extention proves to be a fact, tat right of way on public roads is given to "paraders" of this kind in many cities of the world proves to be a precendent - this, we presume, may be worthy of condireaction in the eyes of the Municipal Council. 

Inasmuch as measure adopted by a municipaly should be based upon consideraiton for the promotion of ocmmercial interested as well as for the control of traffic is seems inexpedient if such "parade advertisin" is absolutely prohibited. In our humble opinion, tje proposal made by the aforesaid firms for the rescission of the prohibitory ordre which is to take effect from October 1, 1930, on the one hand and for the formulation of rules giving restrictions to such "paraders" on the other hand is, to all appearance most suitable to the end which we believe, the Council has in view, namely, promotion of trade without affecting the traffic on public roads.

Report from Commissioner of Police to Secretary. "Reference to your 5608/1 of September 16". Shanghai, September 22, 1930. Source: SMA (SMC), U1-3-3917 (1665).

There is nothing in the letter from the Chamber of Commerce to cause any change in my attitude regarding street advertising. It is quite true that permits are issued for funeral processions but such processions are comparatively few and are usually confined to certain routes, and are held at times when interference with traffic is reduced to a minimum. 

Letter from Yun Chun Linn to Secretary. Shanghai, September 24, 1930. Source: SMA (SMC), U1-3-3917 (1666).

Secretary to Traffic Committee and Members of Council. "Prohibition of Advertising by "Sandwichmen" (letter from Chamber of Commerce). Shanghai, September 24, 1930. Source: SMA (SMC), U1-3-3917 (1667-1668).

I am directed to acknowledge receipt of your letter of September 16 transmitting the views of a number of merchants regarding the Council's decision to prohibit, with effect from October 1, the operation on the street on pavements of advertising "sandwichmen", and requesting the rescission of this prohibition. 

The circumstances attending the promulgation of the regulation prohibiting the operation of "sandwichmen" reveal that consideration was first given to this question in May of this year, when the Council investigated the advisability of restriction on this type of advertising, having regard to the desirability of removing, when practicable, any and all cause tending to aggravate traffic congestion in the Settlement. 

As a result of such consideration, it was decided to give public notice of a new traffic regulation stipulating stating that "the use of persons, animals, vehicles and conveyance in the roadways or footpaths for the sole purpose of displaying advertisements is prohibited." Your Chamber will observe that this prohibition, while designed primarly to afford relief to traffic from the disabilition attendant upon street parafers carrying advertisements, attaches equally to every type of advertising which inherently contributes to the traffic difficulties in the Settlement.

(p.2/3)  In June, representations were addressed to the Council by the Advertisers' Guild, the Shanghai Chinese Ratepayers' Association, and by Mr. Yunn Chin-Lin on behalf of the Hu Yi Kee Advertising Company, requesting that, in the interest of those engaged in the trade of advertising by street paraders, the Council would rescind the regulations, descision being reached that the prohibition, having been framed in he Public interseted, could not be rescinded. In order berrer to enable a winding up of this type of business on the part of those engaged therein the enforcement of the prohibition was, however, postponed for a period of three months.  

In August, further representations were addressed to the Council by Mr; Yun Chin Linn on behalf of the Hu Yi Kee Advertising Company and by the Advertisers' Guild, renewing the plea of those engaged in this trade that the Council would rescind the prohibition. These representations failed, however, to advance any material arguments which had not yet been considered and, accordingly, the Council's reply was in the negative. 

Reverting to your communication under reply, I am to inform you that the matter has again be referred to the Council and that the arguments adduced by the merchant firms have been sympathetically considered. I have to observe that it would be a retrograde step to permit the continuance indefinitely of a form of advertising which is obsolete in most advanced cities; particularly when there exist alternative and better methods of public advertising.  Moreover, economic interests are also served by measures which facilitates the free movement of traffic. Whilst the Council is by no means unmindful of the pemporary distress which may be occasioned among the persons who will be deprived of this means of gaining a livelihood, your Chamber will appreciate the necessity for private interests being subordinated to those of the general public in cases where, unfortunately, they happen to be in conflict. (p.3/3) Accordingly, I am directed to inform you that, in the public interest, the Council finds that is must require this regulation to be enforced with effect from October 1, 1930, much as it regrets the creation of a degree of hardship among a section of the business community.  

Letter from Secretary to Chamber of Commerce of Shanghai. Shanghai, October 7, 1930. Source: SMA (SMC), U1-3-3917 (1669-1670).


Letter from Secretary to Yun Chun Linn. Shanghai, October 7, 1930. Source: SMA (SMC), U1-3-3917 (1672). 

In reply to your letter of September 24, I enclose herewith a copy of a letter which the Council has today addressed to the Chamber of Commerce of Shanghai, affirming its decision to prohibit the operation on the streets and pavements of advertising "sandwichmen". 

Keywordssandwichmen ; mobile advertising ; foreign settlement ; circulation ; negotiation ; association ; Hongkong ; safety ; civilization ; charity ; economic depression ;
871/1079 results        
Last update: Sunday 3 March 2024 (03:13) +
Page rendering in 0.021s