C.S.O.
199
HONG KONG.
CORRESPONDENCE RELATING TO THE MUI-TSAI QUESTION.
No. 1929
No. 1.
TELEGRAM FROM SECRETARY OF STATE TO Governor.
22nd February, 1922.
With regard to mui-tsai question, on which I do not feel satisfied, it is impos- sible for me to defend the existence of such an institution in a British Colony if I am unable to state that no slightest element of compulsory employment is involved, this be- ing the essence of slavery,-and that freedom to leave her adopted parents or employers if she desires exists for every mui-tsai of a certain age, both in law and in practice. As far as administrative measures can contrive this freedom should be real.
As an example: could an identity disc, with number, be given to each child on attaining years of discretion, say 12,-, which could be posted by her at any time to the Secretary for Chinese Affairs, it being his duty on receiving it, to arrange for her release? A commission could be appointed, including local advocates of reform, which could investigate other possible means of securing genuine freedom to leave employers: and to consider with what measures legislative and administrative the complete abolition of compulsory employment of mui-tsai over age could be brought about: to recommend, in the case of mui-tsai under age, precautions by which an equivalent measure of protec- tion could be ensured, and particularly to provide a safe and secret means of appeal against ill-treatment to the Chinese Secretary, in the practical difficulty of a child asserting its legal freedom: to investigate fully the possible means of preventing mui-tsai being transferred without the agreement of their natural parents or of the Secretary and to provide a report of what measures they recommend the Government to take to meet with the anticipated result when these measures be adopted. I should like to receive the report with your recommendations, despatched before your departure in June.
It would be advisable in any case for proclamations to be issued immediately that shall make it clear to Child-employers and employed that in future there will not be re- cognition in Hong Kong of the status of mui-tsai as it is understood in China generally: and more especially that girls over age shall not in any way be forcibly restrained from leaving adopted parents or other employers freely and at any time. I should like to re- ceive substance of proposed proclamation by telegraph as soon as possible.
No. 2.
CHURCHILL.
TELEGRAM FROM GOVERNOR TO SECRETARY OF STATE,
16th March, 1922.
Your telegram of February 22nd.
Secretary for Chinese Affairs had meeting with Secretaries of the Society for protection of mui-tsai and Society for Abolition, who propose to col- laborate in drawing up suggestions aimed at abolition of the system as soon as practicable.