LKLANDS
D
Hi
141
Quite recently as an experiment it has been arranged that a Committee of Chinese ladies should be associated with the Chinese elders in dealing with cases of mui tsai. It should be mentioned here that these Chinese gentry who have devoted so much time and labour to the protection of women and children, have noticed with indignation the misrepresentations made as to the system of mui tsai by persons whose zeal entirely outruns their comprehension of the position.
With the general system of mui tsai as explained above (to which it would be added that marriages are usually arranged for these girls by their employers when the proper age is reached, and friendly relations maintained after marriage) propagandists ever more constantly mix up the question of what in Europe we should call the white slave traffic. This entirely different question, with which Government has to deal as best it can, and it is a very difficult question in China. But to bring in cases of this sort in order to condemn the custom of mui tsai is unfair to that custom and confuses the issue. A number of prostitutes no doubt come from the class of mui tsai as from all other classes of the poorer classes, but no proof whatever has been produced in support of the allegation recklessly made that the mui tsai system is a recognised means of obtaining girls for immoral purposes.
Another question mixed up with the mui tsai question is the occasional ill-treatment of children by their masters and the fact that there is no legal protection at present for child labour. In the first category the only remedy is prosecution in the Courts, and we are always ready to enquire into maltreatment.
ORI
LKLANDS
D
Hi
141
Quite recently as an experiment it has been arranger that a Committee of Chinese ladies should be nesed. ated with the Chinese elders in dwaling with cares of mul tɛal. It should be mentioned here that these Chinese gentry who have devoted so much time and labour to the pretection of women and children,have noticed with indignation the misrepresentations mude as to the system of mul taal by persons whose seal entirely outruns their comprehension of the
Dosition.
With the general system of mui trai us
explained above (to which it would bu added that
marriages are usually arranged for these girls by their employers when the proper age is reached, and friendly relations zintained after marriage )
propagandiste øver more courtantly mix up the
question of what in surope we should call the white
is an Flave traffic. This entirely different question, wit! which Government has to deal as b.at it can, and it
in a very difficult question in china. but to bring
in cares of this sort in order to cun. am the
custom of mui tsai is unfair to that custom and con-
fures the iroue. A number of prostitutes no doubt
come from the class of mui tead as from all other
of the poorer classes, but no roof whatever n LA
ben preduced in support of the allegation reckle ́aly
made that the mui trai system is a recognised moane
of obtaining girls for immoral muznores.
Another question mixed up with tue mui trai
question ir tue occafionsì ill treatment of children
by their shte and the fact that there is no legal
protection at present for child labour. In the first
category the only rnedy is presecution in the Courtą and we are always ready to enquire inte
monaitis
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