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If effect were given to these provisions, it is clear that the mui-tsai being only recruited from those brought into the Colony from out- side should steadily decrease in numbers.
4. Part III of the Ordinance provided for the registration, in- spection, and control of mui-tsai, and forbade under penalty any person having in his employment an unregistered mui-tsai. Further, it was laid down that no person should have in his employment any female domestic servant under the age of ten years unless such servant was a registered mui-tsai, and that every mui-tsai over the age of ten years should be entitled to such wages for her services as shall be prescribed.
5. In view, however, of the representations of the Governor as to the opposition of the Chinese population to the Enactment generally, and particularly to Part III, the Duke of Devonshire in his despatch of the 2nd of May, 1923* wrote: I concur in your suggestion that the question of registration and of payment of wages may be left in abeyance for the present, and that Part III of the Ordinance should not be brought into operation unless and until it is shown to be necessary."
6. It now appears however that after six years from the passing of the Ordinance the most that can be said (vide paragraph 6 of your despatch of 22nd of February†) is that there is no reason to believe that the number of mui-tsai in the Colony has increased.
7. After making all allowance for the difficulties in bringing the system to an end which are described at length in your despatches, it is my duty to inform you that public opinion in this country and in the House of Commons will not accept such a result with equan- imity, and that I feel myself quite unable to defend a policy of laissez faire in this serious matter.
8. I must, therefore, direct that the third part of the Domestic Service Ordinance should be brought into force forthwith, and special care must be taken to inform the population generally that it is in force, and that it will not be allowed to be a dead letter. You should also at once proceed to make Regulations under Section 12 of the Ordinance for the keeping of the Registers, for the remuneration of mui-tsai, and for their inspection and control. It will be doubtless necessary for you to appoint additional officers in the Department of the Secretary for Chinese Affairs to carry out the work of regis- tration and inspection.
9. Further, I consider that Part II of the Ordinance should be amended so as to forbid the bringing into the Colony of any mui-tsai. There can be the less objection to such a provision inasmuch as I learn from your despatch that the status of mui-tsai has been abolished by law in China.
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10. I fully realise that time will be required to make the Law effec- tive, but I am not prepared to acquiesce in a merely nominal en- forcement of the law. Any offence against the Ordinance which comes to light should be made the subject of prosecution without regard to the position of the offender, and a full report should be furnished every six months on the working of the Ordinance and of the proceedings taken under it.
11. Whilst feeling bound by the traditional policy of this country in regard to any institution that savours of slavery to take steps for the abolition of the mui-tsai system notwithstanding any opposition in the Colony, I need hardly remind you of the desirability of en- listing as far as possible Chinese opinion in favour of the change. This will be the less difficult since it is clear from your despatch that the best opinion in China itself is opposed to the institution as is evidenced by the law which has been passed abolishing it.
12. I also strongly approve of the proposals made in your telegram of the 3rd of March for the institution of a Society in Hong Kong on the same lines as the Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children in this country, and I should be glad to learn what progress has been made in this direction.
13. It is my intention to lay the correspondence on this subject before Parliament as soon as it reassembles.
I have, etc.,
PASSFIELD.
* No. 15.
† No. 18.
(5883) Wt. 12363-2297 34, 3 10/29 F. St. G.7