( xv)
were in the main the provisions of the scheme originally sketched out in 1878 by Mr. J. J. FRANCIS, Q.C. (see appendix 39) and it is a matter of regret that they were lost sight of.
13. I agree that the services of the Pó Léung Kuk are most valuable in affording food, clothing, and shelter for rescued women and children and destitutes and in co- operating with the Government by correspondence and other means in making enquiries, and in providing by marriage or otherwise for people who cannot be restored to home or friends; but the Ordinance by which they are incorporated should provide definitely for the preparation of a suitable office for the Society, and for a suitable home for the rescued females, for the custody and proper management of the funds, and for proper accounts to be publicly audited. The essential provisions on these points should appear in the Ordinance, or complete incorporation should be postponed until a house has been secured and the Rules and Regulations of the Society, adequately providing for these points, have been submitted to and certified by the Government.
14. I disapprove entirely of the constitution of the Society as provided for by the Ordinance. Annual subscriptions should be substituted for the one subscription now entitling to membership, for in no other way can the membership be reliably maintained at a level. There may be life memberships of course in addition. Annual subscriptions, however small, will help to maintain popular interest in the movement.
15. I most strongly deprecate the inclusion of the Registrar General in the govern- ing body of the Pó Léung Kuk. He must have in all respects the final and decisive word in all dealings by the Society with women and girls entrusted to its care. He should be entirely outside it, and above it, and should not be mixed up in the debates and discussions of the members of Committee. The Registrar General las in the past exercised a most valuable and effective control over the proceedings of the Pó Léung Kuk. It is very clear from the evidence given by Mr. WAI YUK, and by other Chinese witnesses examined (see pages 17, 18, 23, 26, 27, 31, 32, 35, 38, 39, 41, 129, &c.,) that in proposing that the Registrar General should be a member of the Committee, they would in certain matters be able to place him in a minority and overrule him. This would be an unbecoming position for any high officer of the Government, and an impossible position for the officer specially charged with the protection of women and girls by Ordinance No. 11 of 1890. As regards our relations with the Chinese Author- ities on the mainland it would involve the danger of the Acts of the Pó Leung Kuk being identified with the acts of the Government. (See page 141-the Honourable Ho Kar's question No. 4.)
16. I am of opinion that the double Committee will only lead to confusion. The object to be attained is apparently the retention of old and experienced men in the governing body. There should be one strong Committee elected for six years and renewed in part each year by the retirement of two members and the re-election of others in their place. There will thus be experienced men at all times on the Committee. working Sub-Committee can well be formed out of the members of the Committee if need be.
17. I recommend therefore under this head the amendment of the present Bill:—
1. By making an annual subscription the condition of membership. Life
memberships being provided for.
2. By vesting the Government of the Society in a General Committee of twelve with power to appoint sub-Committees. The members to be elected for six
years and to be renewed by the retirement of two each year and the re-election of new, not of the same men.
3. The removal of the Registrar General from the Committee. There is no objection (and it would perhaps be desirable for many reasons) that the Honourable member who represents the Chinese in the Legislative Coun- cil should be ex officio President or Chairman of the Committee.