627584
168
TELEGRAM from the Governor of Hong Kong to the Secretary of
State for the Colonies.
NOS!
062758
Dated 4th November, 1929.
(Received Colonial Office 11.15 a.m. 4th November, 1929).
Confidential.
15
124
Your telegram of 30th October Confidential Mui Tsai
Ordinance 22 passed 31st October includes amendments in
accordance with paragraph 9 of your despatch of 22nd August
No. 215 also deals with difficulty of proving Mui Tsai not
adopted daughter(s). Ordinance 21 of 1929 amending
Ordinance 4 of 1897 gives the Secretary for Chinese Affairs
wider powers of search and arrest. Opportunity was taken in
introducing Ordinance 22 for the Attorney-General to announce
the intention of Government to enforce registration and bring
to an end the present practice of employment of Mui Tsai, to appeal for co-operation of employers, and to issue warning
that regulations were not to remain a dead letter. Τη view of your paragraph 11 I am meeting District Watch Committee
on 5th November in order to endeavour to enlist Chinese
support and obtain their views as to how best Part 3 can be
made effective. I shall also publish the correspondence
on 6th November (vide your telegram of 1st November). Then
bring matter before Executive Council under Section 17 of
Ordinance 1 of 1923 with a view to the issue of proclamation. Regulations have been drafted and will be considered (corrupt group) in Executive Council.