HONG KONG
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361
PORT CONDITIONS (continued).
was proposed to compromise by putting two buildings on the same ground, one for the use of the Services, and the other for the Mercantile Marine, with recreation facilities in common for both. There was, however,
no proposed accommodation for officers of the Mercantile Marine.
PROSTITUTION CONDITIONS.
These have been fully dealt with in the General Report. One of the outstanding difficulties of Hong Kong is an enormous boat population highly infected with Venereal Disease who have free access to all incoming ships. In addition, a practice exists of brothel parties being conveyed to the ships from the shore. His Excellency the Governor seemed averse from taking any action to attempt to check this traffic, his objection being that no hindrance could be placed on the freedom of the Sampans in the Harbour owing to the trade rights these people would claim.
He, in addition, maintained, that it would be a practical impossibility, but gave us permission to confer with the officials concerned. After consulting with a representative of the Chamber of Commerce, the Harbour Master and the Attorney-General, as well as with the Assistant-Superintendent of Police, all agreed that if the Governor wishes a great deal could be done.
The Attorney-General drew up the following Recommendations which were agreed to by the Harbour Master and the Vice-Chairman of the Chamber of Commerce, and were to be submitted to His Excellency the Governor:-
Prevention of prostitutes visiting shipa in the harbour.
(a)
(b) No women except the undermentioned to be
permitted to board ships in the harbour without a peralt in writing from the Harbour Master under a penalty of 25 dollara or one month H.L.
(0)
(a)
Exempted persons:-
Wives or families of the Master and Officers of the ship.
Bona fide passengers and their friends at the time of arrival or departure.
The Master or other officer for the time being in charge be held responsible under the same penalty as, if this is not done, it will be next to impossible for the police to enforce any regulations that might pass.
In order to make the proposed legislation effective it would be necessary to provide as follows:-
(a)
Make it an offence for any woman to be on board a ship in the harbour unless she is