Enclosure 3.
3th September, 1894.
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91
SUPPLEMENTARY APPROPRIATION BILL 1892
The COLONIAL TREASURER—I rise, gentlemen, to move the first reading of a Bill entitled An Ordinance to authorise the Appropriation of a Supplementary sum of two hundred and twelve thousand five hundred and forty-seven dollars and ninety-two cents to defray the charges of the year 1893. I may remark in moving the first reading that, after deducting the savings effected during the year, the net excess is some $2000 only. I have endeavoured to explain the various charges that have to be paid as supplementary in my report, which is printed and will be found in the Bill, and I shall be happy at the second reading to give any further explanation the Council may desire.
ACTING ATTORNEY-GENERAL—I beg to second that.
THE WOMEN AND GIRLS' PROTECTION (AMENDMENT) ORDINANCE, 1894.
The ACTING ATTORNEY-GENERAL—Sir, in moving the second reading of the Bill entitled "An Ordinance to amend The Women and Girls' Protection Ordinance, 1890," and Ordinance No. 4 of 1891, entitled "An Ordinance to amend The Women and Girls' Protection Ordinance, 1890," I do not propose to detain the Council at any length, as the Council is well aware from the documents published in the daily papers recently that this Bill is introduced by the direct orders of the Secretary of State. I will just review briefly the facts which led to its introduction. Early in 1893 the Secretary of State wrote out here stating that the registration of brothels, and the inspection of inmates, was a system contrary to the recognised policy of Parliament, and that it was to be abolished. I think I am correct in stating that a period of six months was given us to carry out these orders. In April of the same year a letter was written from the Colonial Surgeon to the Colonial Secretary stating his reasons why he objected to the abolition of the examination of women. That letter was in due course forwarded to the Secretary of State, and in the same month the Registrar-General, now Acting Colonial Secretary, in a minute—I think it was in June of the same year—wrote a minute which was also forwarded subsequently to the Secretary of State, in which he expressly stated he was then forwarding the representations of the Watch Committee.
"It will be seen that in this representation it is pointed out that the abolition of registration will result in the keepers of brothels having more control than at present over inmates; that the inmates will not be so well off as under the present system, and will have no opportunity, as they now have, of becoming acquainted with their rights of freedom; that the colony will be overrun with brothels unless they are confined, as at present, to certain neighbourhoods; and that this will lead to a decrease in the numbers of Chinese families residing in the Colony. I do not propose at the present time to discuss this question, as I can avail myself of the opportunity when at home to give my views, if they are desired, to the authorities at the Colonial Office. I would, however, like to state that I think the views of the Chinese, as expressed in their representation, are worthy of serious consideration." Notwithstanding those letters which were duly forwarded, as I have already stated, the Secretary of State on April 17th reiterated his commands, at the same time suggesting that certain powers might be taken with regard to brothels which might prove a nuisance to the neighbours. Accordingly, this Ordinance repeals part 3 of Ordinance 11 of 1890, which provided, inter alia, for the registration of brothels, the responsibilities of the keepers, under what circumstances brothels should be considered as nuisances, and which gave power to the Governor to limit the area within which brothels should be kept. It also repeals part 4, section 24, which gave the Registrar-General the power to enter and inspect these places, and it further repeals section 25, which gave power to the Registrar-General to call for the reduction of the number of inmates in brothels. It repeals section 13, which enabled the Governor to make rates for the registration and inspection and cleanliness of brothels, and all rules made under that section. In section 24 of Ordinance 11 of 1890, a slight amendment is introduced, and in pursuance of the suggestion of the Secretary of State (in paragraph 7 of his dispatch of April 17th), the Bill gives summary jurisdiction to close brothels as disorderly houses on the complaint of neighbours. I may say that the power is expressly stated to be in addition to, and not in substitution of, any common law right. There may be brothels which prove to be a nuisance. With these few remarks, I will move the second reading, which we, as members of the Government, will have loyally to carry through according to the mandate of the Secretary of State.
The ACTING COLONIAL SECRETARY seconded.
Hon. C. P. CHATER—Sir, with regard to the Bill which is before us, we are fully aware how useless would be any opposition on our part. As the Attorney-General has informed us, it has been ordained that the Bill is to be passed, and all the recommendations of those who are best qualified to know the circumstances to pronounce an opinion on them from experience, long residence, and special knowledge, have been studiously ignored. The arguments against the measure are many and weighty, and have been put forward in the most cogent manner by those to whose dictum most importance should be attached. It would be a futile task on my part to re-capitulate them, knowing as I do that arguments are useless weapons to combat the orders of the Colonial Office in a matter like this, and that prejudice must carry the day.
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