E

system d

that it should be amended in respect of several of its provisions. The Secretary of State has decided that the registration and supervision of Brothels should be maintained (as in the Straits Settlements) because it is regarded as a valuable means of checking the too general practice of kidnapping girls and brothel slavery.

3. The Ordinance repeals the law relating to the compulsory medical examination of women, and it has been clearly explained to the women that they need not attend for Examination unless they wish to do so. Some women do voluntarily attend from time to time but not at fixed intervals or on any specified days.

4. Main duties of the officers under this Ordinance are the same as under the repealed Contagious Diseases Ordinance, but their duties are differently desired.

See para. 3.

File or Individual Commns Date H.C.3471 1.5.1890 See 1761 H.C.59 7.3.4 K2013 Surg. 2013/20 St previous Paper 15989-90 Putty ext subsequent Paper 73907 18 Straits No 8920 6 C.0 8320

RECR

DOMESTIC

MAY 30

Admiral Field, To ask the Under Secretary of State for the Colonies, whether his attention has been called to the following remarks made by Admiral H.R.H. the Duke of Edinburgh at the annual meeting of "Missions to Seamen" Society, held at the Mansion House on 28th April:-

"The report also complains that in some ports Abroad, and in Crown Colonies, especially Hong Kong and Singapore, the crews are compelled to do unnecessary work in transhipping cargoes on Sundays, which causes much discontent and discomfort to the men, and puts a stop to all religious observances. Whereas in the Australian and self-governing Colonies such unnecessary working of cargoes is rigidly forbidden.

"I understand that the Secretary of State for the Colonies has called the attention of some Colonial Governors to this grievance of seamen:"

And, whether the practice complained of has been prohibited, so that seamen may enjoy their Sunday rest in port in common with other of Her Majesty's subjects. [Monday 5th May.]

BARON H. DE WORMS said.-The Secretary of State has been in correspondence with the Governors of Hongkong and the Straits Settlements on the subject of Sunday labour in the ports of Hong Kong and Singapore. They have represented that there would be difficulties in the way of legislation prohibiting Sunday labour in these harbours; the local chambers of commerce have been approached by the Governors with a view to securing a reduction of all such avoidable labour by united voluntary action on the part of the merchants and shipping agents. I may add that the Secretary of State is about to consult on this question Sir Cecil Smith and Sir William Des Voeux, who are now in England.

Eve. Finfier

am 2/5

M. Meade

? Reply that the S. state has been in correspondence with the Govt of Hongkong and the Straits Settlements on the subject.

wen Sunday labour in the ports of Hong Kong and Singapore. They have represented that there would be difficulties in the way of legislation prohibiting Sunday labour in these Harbours, but

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