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Q.-Suppose a woman of 30 wishes to leave the Home and the Colony, is she at liberty to do so?
A.-You have to see that what they say is true, and get some one to be security for her.
Q-But suppose she cannot get any one to secure her?
A.-Well, I think they would get to know all about her.
Q-But she is forcibly detained?
A.-I don't know whether you should use the word "forcibly."
Q.-But I do use it. Is that so or is it not?
A.-I don't think any force was ever used. They simply keep the girls pending enquiry.
Q.-The girls are not permitted to leave the building?
A.-Of course not.
Q.-So they are detained and practically imprisoned there?
A.-If you let them go they might not come back again.
Q-They are practically imprisoned without trial in any Court?
A.-I would not call it imprisonment.
The CHAIRMAN.-Are not the girls sent to the Pó Leung Kuk by the Registrar General under Ordinance?
A.—Yes.
Q-Under a properly constituted law?
A. Yes.
Q. Do you consider then that when a girl is sent to the Pó Léung Kuk under law, she is forcibly detained?
A.-Not at all.
Q.--Nor imprisoned?
A.-No.
Q.-The object of this Society is to do every thing it can for the practical welfare and interests of these girls, is it not?
A. Yes.
Q.-And save them from the hands of bad characters and rascals?
A. Yes.
Q.-That is the object?
A. Yes.
Q.--You think that is an object that every person who has the good of mankind at heart ought to encourage?
A. Yes.
Honourable F. H. MAY.--I take it that these girls are detained in the Home for the reason that they do not wish to leave the Colony or because they are found under circumstances which give rise to the suspicion that they are about to be taken away against their will?
A.--Yes, or if it is thought that they are being kept in Hongkong for the purposes of prostitution.