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law of England, does not recognise such a transaction
conferring any right or title whatsoever on the employer as against the girl. There is no evidence that auch girle are frequently ill-treated, and in cases where any ill- treatment takes place they are protected by the law in
exactly the same way as children living with their parents. The Secretary of State's view is that the right course is to aim at gradual reform, where reform may be necessary, in co-operation with enlightened and humane members of the
Chinese community, and he has suggested to the Governor that he should persuade a number of prominent Chinese
to form a society for the protection and improvement in
the condition of these girl domestics. It is considered
that such an arrangement would be preferable to a system
of compulsory registration, which, in the opinion of
responsible officers in the Colony, it would not be
practicable to administer satisfactorily."
The further history of the matter will be found
in Mr. Wood's reply in the House of Commons on April 20th
1921, quoted below:
"The formation of such a Committee was
recommended by Lord Milner, and there is now such a Committee actively at work, composed of Chinese of high standing whose services are of the greatest value in
The latest advising the Secretary for Chinese Affairs, information is that a Committee of Chinese ladies has
been formed to assist the above-mentioned committee. I doubt if the usefulness of this committee would be in- creased by the presence of British members, but I will
consult the Governor."
The Committee referred to is that of the Po Leung Kuk, a Chinese Society which has long existed in Hong Kong to assist the Government in the protection of
women and children and kindred matters.
It maintains