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against the opposition of those who might rea- It is like having to swallow a bitter pill; sonably expect that their long residence in the the doctors order it, and so, however bitter East and their knowledge of its habits and re- the pill is, we must swallow it. But I hope quirements should entitle their opinion to some the time will soon come when the colony will consideration. In giving an adverse vote I may emerge from the bondage of Home Government say, sir, that we unanimously protest against and have a representative majority to govern this ill-timed and ill-advised measure, which, as far as I can see, can do no possible good but will the colony, to adjust our local affairs according certainly work a great deal of harm and misery, subject to the dictum of anyone who is quite
Hon. Ho Kai—Sir, I think it is due to my ignorant of local requirements. position in Council to say a few words, however useless they may be, to record my protest against the passing of this measure. I claim the right to speak with some authority on the subject, and although it may not meet with the approval of the home authorities, I must put it on record as my opinion that the passing of this Bill must work great hardship among the poor women and poorer girls of the Chinese nation who are unfortunate enough to be in these places, perhaps kidnapped for immoral purposes by the many evil persons who had this business as a means of making money, and also for luring the rich to squander their money. The Ordinances have worked very well during the past 15 years. During my long residence in the East—or rather, since I was born here, as soon as I came to watch the working of the Ordinances, I found that they have worked wonderfully well, and have prevented a great many miserable and dreadful lives being led by girls who are averse to such a life of ill-fame.
Hon. A. McConachie—I join, sir, very fully in the protest of my colleagues who have spoken before me. It appears to me that in repealing this Ordinance we deprive poor miserable creatures who cannot protect themselves of the little protection the Government can at present extend to them. We know how thoroughly they are at the mercy of the keepers of these houses—monsters from whom they can have no protection whatever now.
A division was then taken.
Fon.
AGAINST.
The Colonial Secretary Hon. Ho Kai The Colonial Treasurer The Attorney-General The Harbour Master Hon. E. Bowdler
Motion carried.
Bill read a second time.
Hon. C. P. Chater Hon. E. R. Belilios Hon. A. McConachie
The Council went into Committee, no section being challenged.
The ACTING COLONIAL SECRETARY seconded. Hon. C. P. CHATER—In order to be perfectly consistent I beg to move that the third reading of this Bill be postponed to this day twelve months.
Hon. Ho Kai seconded. Amendment put.
For. Hon. C. P. Chater Hon. E. R. Belilios Hon. Ho Kai Hon. A. McConachie
AGAINST.
The Acting Colonial Secretary The Acting Attorney-General The Harbour Master
The ACTING ATTORNEY-GENERAL—Unless there is any objection on the part of the unofficial members, I will beg to move the third reading of the Bill. Now ones these Ordinances are withdrawn these poor people will have no further protection, except such as is given them by the common law, which is practically no protection at all to them; and it is equally useless to leave it to the neighbours to complain of there being a brothel constituting a nuisance. For Chinese girls, of course, are not like English girls, or European girls, but are totally ignorant of the national liberty of the English or European, and they undoubtedly require some officer such as a Registrar-General and others to remind them of their rights from time to time, and to make them understand that they are at liberty to depart or escape from the infamous imprisonment to which they are constantly subjected by their keepers. I pity also the Chinese residents who have families here. It is quite true that on the complaint of three neighbours the house may be shut up; but our knowledge of the Chinese is such that we know nothing of this sort will be the case. The Chinese as a people are not fond of going to law or going to appear in the police courts, but will rather suffer a good deal of annoyance, and the result would be that they would remove their families from the colony or not bring their families to the colony in future to live amidst brothels broadcast. Upon these facts I think I should fail in my duty if I did not protest in the strongest manner possible against the passing of this Bill, although I know, as my colleague has just put it, that our best efforts are futile.
Amendment lost.
The Colonial Treasurer
Hon. E. Bowdler
Bill read a third time and passed.
HIS EXCELLENCY—The next order of the day is the second reading of the Bill entitled An Ordinance for the Summary Resumption of certain Crown lands situate in the Taipingshan District of the City of Victoria and for other purposes.
C.O. 18004 Red 15 001 94(92)