they shall be permitted to
take a concubine or ch'ip,
under the
age of sixteen
without being considered having contravened
the provisions of section
6 of the Ordinance.
If the concubine is
to be regarded
as
one
to
whom the man is married he would of course not be liable to
prosecution. If on the
other hand she cannot be
so considered he would
apparently
come within
193
the prohibition of the clause.
The
Acting Registrar
General has informed
me
that the Chinese would be
satisfied if told that it
was not the intention of the Government to prosecute
persons for taking concubines, but only such as regarded as kidnappers,
procuresses etc., and has
asked me whether I will
authorize
9