281
136
6.
In Justification of such a course strong **i-
dence has been laid before me of the growth of disease
and the prevalence of other abuses since the Ordinances
were abolished, and the opinion of responsible men on
the spot the men both official and unofficial to whom
-
I should naturally look for information and guidanc
on local questions is mainly if not unanikously to
the effect that the result of repealing the Ordinanses
has been disastrous.
I recognise the fact that there has been a
increase of disease since the Ordinances were repealed;
and it may also be true that there has been an increase
of brothel slavery: but on the latter point I notice
from the reports of the Protector of Chinese As Wall
as of the Registrar General at Hong Kong, that there
has been at least as mich rescue work done sines region
tration was abolished, as in the preceding years.
7. I admit that the funt that certain laws aro
or are not in force in the United Kingdom is not la 45′′
self a sufficient reason for applying or abolishing similar laws in tropical Colonies differing from the nother country in climate, race, social, moral and 25 mm
ligions conditions. Further, I an not prepared to deny
that one way of meeting the evilɛ to which my attention
has been called would be the renewal of the repealed
Ordinances, if their renewal met with general saqiing.
canos: but hare again I mat repeat that respect i8132 be had to existing facts. It is certain that to auch
renewed there would be in this country a very atrac
Opposition.
3