The fact that it has been decided to abolish 21
•
the mui tsal system must not be taken as an admission
that the system as practised in Hong Kong could properly
be described as slavery. It has long been recognised
that the system was open to misrepresentation and to
abuses, which every attempt was made to prevent, but it
was felt that before radical reform was possible it woula
be necessary to have the support of influential Chinese.
It is only recently that there has been any prominent
body of Chinese in favour of abolition, and it is theil
support which makes it possible for the present decision
to be carried out. The system has existed for the dual
object of the relief of poor parents and the supply of
domestic service for the richer housenolde; the implica-
tion which has been a part of some attacks on the system,
that the girls are in general ill-treated and that the
system has existed solely for the supply of girls to
brothels is unjust and grossly offensive to thousands
of respectable Chinese. It will thus be understoou
Le Harleyword that when an officer's wife, with the encouragement of
her husband, made an attack in the local press on the
system in terms which caused great annoyance to the
Chinese community, there was a danger that the Chinese (who have a great respect for official position) might
gret the impression that the Government regarden with
favour the terms in which these attacks were made and this a state of illfeeling towards the British Government would be created which would be highly undesirable especially in view of the unsettled state of South China.
In these circumstances as the Governor report.
›
he had decided to ask the Secretary of State to request
the