23769/1915
214
TELEGRAM from the Governor of Hong Kong to the
Secretary of State for the Colonies
Dated 14th May 1918.
(Received Colonial Office 6.35 a.m. 15th May 1918)
With reference to your confidential despatch December 5th 1917,custom of purchasing female domestic servants exists over all China and many households in Hong Kong have such servants. But the law of Hong Kong does not recognise purchase as conferring any title or right whatsoever.There are two apparent exceptions,one, that for purpose of punishing kidnappers the Mistress of a maid- servant has in certain cases been treated as having the lawful care of the maidservant as against the kidnapper but not on grounds of purchase. Two.that under Section 32 of Ordinance No.4 of 1897 the Secretary for Chinese affairs sometimes allows purchased female domestic servants to remain with the purchasers as the only way practicable to deal with them. The girls are absolutely free in law as against the purchasers. In cases of ill-treatment they are removed. See Russell's report forwarded with Governor's despatch August 15th 1883,Number 189 Despatch follows.
MAY