6.
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members of the Chinese Society for the Protection of Women and Children, as above suggested. Such Association would at the same time solve the difficulty as to "what is to be done with a child who has been set free under the provisions of this section," for the rules of the Society expressly pro- vide for the care and disposition of such children.
With regard to the Attorney General's objection to the provisions of Section 4, I am not of opinion that it is of sufficient weight to prevent this section being enact- ed as part of the Bill.
7. Evils of the kind dealt with in this draft Ordinance should, in my opinion, be opposed by giving strong powers to the Executive; and the abuse of such powers may be prevented by giving the greatest possible publicity to what is done. The desired publicity would to some extent be obtained by associating the Chinese Committee with the Registrar General; and the latter might also be required to make periodical re- ports to the Governor of all action taken under the Ordinance, which reports might, if thought desirable, be published.
I have, &c.,
(Signed) FRED. STANLEY.
A BILL.
ENTITLED.
An Ordinance for the better protection of young Girls.
Whereas it is expedient to prevent adopted children and female servants being brought up in the Colony for the purpose of prostitution: Be it enatced by the Gov- ernor of Hong Kong, with the advice of the Legislative Council thereof as follows:-
1. On any complaint being made to the Registrar General that any female child between the ages of six and sixteen years is in the custody or under the control of any person in the Colony with the view being trained or disposed of as a prostitute, it shall be lawful for the Registrar General to summon before him such custodian re- quiring at the same time the production of the said child, and to make full inquiry into the said complaint.
2. The Registrar General may associate with him in the said inquiry or two or more Chinese Justices of the Peace or such other Chinese persons as may from time to time be designated by the Governor, and if after due inquiry he is satisfied that the child is being trained as a prostitute, or that it is the intention of the custodian thereof to dispose of the said child as a prostitute, it shall be lawful for the said Registrar General to make an order for the proper custody of the said child, or if the said Registrar General should think fit to leave the said child with the said custodian, and he may require the later to furnish such security in such an amount, with such sureties as he shall deem fit for the proper care and bringing up of the said child :
The Registrar General may also call upon the said party to furnish him with a photograph of the said child.
3. If any person who has received such notice shall not appear, and produce the said child, and shall not satisfactorily account for such default the Registrar Gen- eral may sentence the party so making default to a fine not exceeding five hundred dollars, and in default of payment may order that the said party be imprisoned with or without hard labour for any period not exceeding six months.