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Medical examination of common prostitutes; the only difference being that the Registrar Connal makes the order instead of the Justice of the Peace (see Ord: 10 of 1867 secs: 444 and 445) (2.) The difference however in the systems of prostitution here, and in the United Kingdom makes the operation of the compulsory powers of medical examination given by the law as (3) different as we can well imagine.
Brothels are an institution of China - "They were indigenous in China centuries before the present natives of Europe emerged from Barbarism" (see Report of Hongkong C.D.O. Commission of 1879 page 3; also Mr Stent's paper published in that report page 55 - Brothels too have been licensed in China since time immemorial, and hence when in the interests of liberty and health it became necessary for Government of Hongkong to interpose in 1857 by legislation it accepted the Chinese form system of prostitution by recognising while devising means for the proper control of the Brothels.
Objections were not wanting that the Government might be said to be registering or licensing an indictable offence, but the urgent necessity of dealing with the subject was paramount, and the Government whilst registering conferred them Brothels and Brothel keepers no immunity from any action to which they were criminally liable before.
(4.) In Lord Kimberley's despatch July 26th 1881 C.3093 of 1881 page 57 the history of introduction of legislation is traced, and his Lordship points out that the Secretary of State in 1856 "having regard to the unhappy circumstances prevailing in Hongkong considered the necessity...