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SCMP Reporter

Depression boon to Reds

London (Sept 17): 'Continuing industrial depression' in South-east Asian countries is discussed in to-day's Manchester Guardian leader.

'What will be the effect on world politics?' asked the paper. 'In the last month there has been a wave of optimism in the West about the containment of Communism in South-east Asia . . . But all these gains (in Malaya, Indo-China, Philippines and Burma) would soon be lost if there were to be a long period of economic decline.

'A further fall of rubber prices in Malaya would provide many recruits for the guerillas. In Japan the economic depression might have effect on the general election in forcing the Japanese Government to break its alliance with America.

'Moscow checked in Europe may still feel that it has good prospects in Asia,' the editorial adds.

Transforming

London (Sept 13): The New China News Agency, in an economic survey of China after three years' Communist rule, said to-night that the remoulding of China's economy had been completed and the foundations laid for transformation from an agricultural to an advanced industrial nation.

The survey was issued in connection with the forthcoming third anniversary of the Chinese People's Republic.

Just cricket

September 13: Englishmen who noted the space given in New York and other American papers to Soccer games played both in the U.K. and in the United States may not have been surprised, because Soccer has taken on quite a hold in North America since the war. But it is certainly an eye-opener to find that English cricket results were sent in full to America by the British news agencies during the season that is just closing.

The explanation is more remarkable still. A London columnist says the scores are being used by gamblers as a source of unpredictable numbers on which to bet. Numerical betting never caught on in Britain, but the Americans are enthusiastic about it.

They formally used baseball and basketball results, until it was found that the teams were ready to adjust their scores to suit the gambling rings! For a time it was thought that meteorological tables collected from distant countries might prove suitable material. Then someone pointed out that weather clerks might be prepared to 'rig' the readings for a consideration.

Cricket, apparently, proved the perfect answer. American punters regard the M.C.C. as incorruptible and the cricket scores unpredictable.



50 years ago