MANIFESTO
OF
THE
ANTI-MUI-TSAI
SOCIETY
30th July, The attention of the public was drawn the Legislative Council on to the mus tagi question in 1917 by a case 1921, in the Tai Ping Theatre, Hongkong. at the Criminal Sessions in which Mr. It is regretted that this meeting was C. G. Alabaster, counsel for the defence, called to reply to five set questions which argued that his client could not be con- do not touch the roots of the subject, and victed of having enticed two little girls that the Chairman refused to put to the out of the custody of their "lawful vote & resolution, duly proposed and guardians" inasmuch as they were mui seconded, that the mus taai system be troi. Lieut. Col. John Ward, M.P., took abolished in the Colony. Fearing that a great interest in this matter, and, the effect of this meeting may be to aid though forbidden by Service Regulations the preservation of this iniquitous prac from taking any open and active interest tice, we have formed the Anti-Muitsai in political questions, he communicated Society with the object of relieving the with the Labour Party in England on sufferings of the mui taai and supporting this subject, and they interviewed the the kind effores of Western friends. Secretary of State for the Colonies. Our Society will cease to function sa soon Later, Mrs. H. L. Haselwood, wife of as abolition of the mui trai system is Lieut. Commander Haslewood, R.N.. came finally effected, and, while functioning, to the Colony and actively interested will take no part in any other social or herself in this question. From the out political question, Undaunted by the Bet, Mr. H. A Cartwright, Editor of magnitude of our task and conscious of The Hongkong Daily Press, has been dis- the righteousness of our cause, we hereby cussing the mui teas system with the re-issue this manifesto in the hope that it Bult that the question: "Why is the will receive the careful consideration of practice of keeping mui tsai permitted all, irrespective of sex, race, nationality. 10 the British Colony of Hongkong?" is religion or domicile.
being asked by a constantly-increasing bumber of fair-minded people, both herei and in England. Upon this question, members of the House of Commons have repeatedly interrogated the Secretary of State for the Colonies and have requested that this system of domestic slavery be abolished. The founders of this Society are convinced that these people are solely actuated by the laudable desire to assist thousands of unfortunate girls and to preserve the fair name of Great Britain.
In consequence of the growing interest in the campaign in England on behalf
(1) INHERENT EVILS OF THE MUI THẢI
SYSTEM.
(a) There are those who rear mai trai in name but bring up girls for prostitu- tion in fact and this heinous practice is known, in Chinese, as "Cho chu fa," which means rearing females like flowers, for prostitution. This statement is un- refuted and irrefutable. The enlightened Chinese Press has persistently and clearly brought this disgraceful state of affairs There has to the notice of the public. bean so much light admitted into this
of the mus fact, a mass meeting" was dark practice that details are unneces convened by the two Chinese members of Bary,
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