MINUTES.
MINUTES NOT TO BE WRITTEN
ON THIS SIDE.
N° 388
61725
198
HONGKONG.
GOVERNMENT HOUSE.
17th October, 1921.
mo
1/40065
то Toobs
Sir,
I have the honour to acknowledge the receipt of
your despatch No.264 of the 29th of August enclosing copies of correspondence with the Anti-Slavery and Aborigines Protection
Society.
2. The facts with regard to the mui tsai system are
well known and the Government and the community generally are
fully alive to the abuses to which the system is liable, and I cannot see that any useful purpose would be served by appointing a Committee of Enquiry as suggested. I concur fully in the opinions expressed in the concluding paragraph of Sir H. J. Read's letter of the 22nd of August as to the harm which would probably result from such action, especially if, as I am inclined to infer from the use of the word 'impartial', taken in conjunction with the general tone of the Society's letter, the suggestion is that the Committee should be composed of persons from outside the Colony who would necessarily be ignorant of Chinese customs and modes of thought.
I have the honour to be,
Sir,
Your most obedient humble servant,
B.E. Stubbs
Governor, &c.
THE RIGHT HONOURABLE
WINSTON CHURCHILL, M.P.,
&c.,
&c.
&c.