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4. It may be argued that, in view of the number of girls already under the protection of this office, the present system is sufficient and that no further legis- lation is necessary. This argument is fallacious, for not only is there some doubt as to whether the bonds now given could be legally estreated in case of any of their conditions not being fulfilled, but it has also to be borne in mind that these girls, whose proper up-bringing may be said to be guaranteed, have been brought to this office only by the merest accident, the majority of them having been found in houses proceeded against for being unlicensed brothels. There is still a very large class of female children beyond the reach of the law, who it is well known are being reared for purposes of prostitution. To save these poor children from a life of infamy, legislation is absolutely necessary, and I therefore sincerely trust that the Draft Bill will become law. Peculiar evils require special legislation, and the most competent judges, both British and Chinese, are unanimous in their opinion that the Bill as drafted by Dr. STEWART and approved by Mr. Justice RUSSELL will go far to meet the abuses arising from child adoption and domestic service, which at present are free from the control of the law.
5. In conclusion I may mention that I have learned from the Protector of· Chinese at Singapore that an Ordinance based on Dr. STEWART'S Draft Bill, but more stringent in its terms, has been forwarded by the Singapore Authorities for the consideration of the Secretary of State.
J. H. STEWART LOCKHART, Acting Registrar General.
Enclosure 2.
The Hon. THE ACTING COLONIAL SECRETARY.
Enclosure 1.
A BILL
ENTITLED
An Ordinance for the prevention of abuses connected with Child Adoption and Domestic Service. WHEREAS it is expedient to make further provision
for the prevention of adopted female children and female servants from being brought up in the Colony for the
purpose of prostitution: Be it enacted by the Governor of Hongkong, with the advice of the Legislative Council thereof, as follows :-
1. It shall be lawful for the Registrar General, as Pro- tector of Chinese, to summon before him any person whom he reasonably suspects of having in his custody any adopted daughter, or female servant, between the age of six and sixteen inclusive, with the view of disposing of her as a prostitute; and it shall also be lawful for the Registrar General, in his discretion and after due inquiry, to call on any such person who has the custody of any such female child to give reasonable security that such child shall not be sold, pawned, or otherwise disposed of for any immoral purpose, and that the absence of such child from the Colony shall be duly accounted for.
2. For the better carrying out of the preceding section, it shall be lawful for the Registrar General to require the production before him of any A female child under Aadoption such or domestic service; and also to summon any person who can give information as to the treatment of such child by her adopted parents or master, under a penalty not exceed ing two hundred dollars.
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3. It shall be lawful for the Registrar General, in the interests of any A female child, to make a written application to a Judge in Chambers for a writ of Habeas Corpus, with the view of taking away such female child from any person who has no legal claim to her custody, and whose retention of her is prejudicial to the child's interest and liberty.
4. It shall be lawful for any person considering himself aggrieved or affected by any action of the Registrar General under this Ordinance to appeal in a summary way to a Judge in Chambers against any decision which the Regis- trar General may give under this. Ordinance; and the Judge may confirm the decision of the Registrar General, or may order in writing the same to be annulled.
5. This Ordinance shall come into operation on a day to be hereafter proclaimed by the Governor.
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