SOUTH CHINA MORNING POST. MONDAY, OCTOBER 27, 1930.
WELFARE OF MUI TSAI.
CHILD
LOCAL CO-OPERATION OF THE
PROTECTION BODIES NECESSARY.
SOCIETY'S ANNUAL MEETING.
Emphasising that the mui tsai is unquestionably part of the child welfare problem and urging co-ordination of efforts between various institutions interested in neglected children, the Hon. English Secretary of the Anti-Mui Tsai Society, Mr. J. D. Bush, addressed a big gathering at the annual meeting of this Society in the auditorium of the Chinese Y.M.C.A. on Saturday afternoon. He said that the Anti-Mui-Tsai Society is working for the eventual enforcement of law to protect mui tsai throughout South China.
Commenting on the work of the local Child Welfare Society, the speaker said he hoped to see more officers specially selected and trained to carry on the work of the Society.
S.C.A.'S HELP APPRECIATED.
to see it live up more to the ideal of being the Champion of the Child, as it sets out to be. Instead of having just one young lady ful- filling the duty of an Inspector, there should be at least a dozen or more officers (men and women)
selected and trained because of their special aptitude for the posts they have to fill. Then, also, there should be more men who are thoroughly interested in champion- ing the cause of every child, whe ther mui-tsai or any sort of neg lected child, who suffers. We want genuine and enthusiastic supporters of the child welfare work in the Colony. So far as there is a dif- ference between the work of the Child Welfare Society and our Society at all, it is a difference in thoroughness, although we have the same aims and object in view. I offer these remarks in the spirit of friendly criticism, without the least intention of being flippant cynical.
Or
to-
The Army Home, This Society has noted with more than ordinary feelings of satisfac- tion that the Salvation Arn.y Women's Industrial Home, on Prince Edward Road, Kowloon, bas come into existence since we met here last year. There are at pre- sent nirteen girls in this Insticu- tion. The Hongkong Government is contributing $200 monthly wards its support and maintenance. For all this our hearts are glad. It is hoped that there will be con- The meeting was presided over Society coming from Lt. Comdr. tributions forthcoming from other by Mr. S. C. Yeung, the Chairman and Mrs. H. L. Haslewood, the quarters to keep up and expand the of the Anti-Mui-Tsai Society, who Anti-Slavery and Aborigines Pro- good work of this Home. The was supported by the Hon. tection Society, the Young "glistening tear in a neglected English Secretary, Mr. J. D. Bush, Women's Christian Association ofhild's eye" has called this, and and the Hon. Chinese Secretary, Great Britain, Lady Simons and our
Society into existence. Mr. Wong She-tin. A general members of the House of Com- pressure of this duty, the force of
Chairman's Speech.
The
at-
This Society also wishes to re- port to you, in a spirit of gratitude, that considerable success has tended the efforts to get in closer touch with the Social Service Bureau in Canton. The ready e- sponse to our appeal for enforce- ment of mui-tsai protection in Canton is deeply appreciated. Similar relationship with the Gov- ernment in Macao is hoped for in the immediate future.
Returning to our work in Hong kong, relations with the S.C.A. are excellent and most cordial co- operation has been established between us. This arises mainly from the fact that the officers in charge have exercised the utmost patience and adopted the most to- lerant and tactful attitude towards cases brought before them.
committee consisting of thirty mons, is largely responsible for the children's claim, make the ap well known local residents in- bringing the unbelievable crueltyeal all the more urgent terested in child welfare work was of the mui-tsai system to the elected, including Messrs. S. C. attention of the British Govern- Yeung, Ho Iu, J. D. Bush, Wong ment at Home, which resulted in She-tin, Lam Woo, Hung To-fay, the latter's final order for its Woo Yee-tung, Wat Lok-hing, abolition. Tsak Tai-kwong, Wong Shum-kan, "I would like to thank all the Wong Kam-ying, Mak Mui-sang, Christian Church unions, the Cheung Kat-shing, Yung Ting various educational institutions sang, Moffat Tsui, Cheuk Yan-ko, and individuals for their financial J. M. Wong, Ngan Kwan-yu, Chen assistance and circulation of Kon-sang, Li Shiu-pak, Chan leaflets and literature in our cam- Ming-shan, Mrs. Tso She-kwong. paign against the mui-tsai system. Mrs. Yung Yeung Yuk-sín, Rev. All these efforts are directly Wong Oi-tone. Rev. Li Kau-yan, responsible for bringing this Rev. Cheung Chuk-ling, and Drs. odious system to the notice of the Fok Wing-kan, Ma Luk, Chau Wai- British Government, resulting in cheung, and L. S. Shin.
the Colonial Secretary and Hong- kong Government signifying their In addressing the gathering, the approval of the suggested regis- Chairman, Mr. S. C. Yeung, said: tration of all mui-tsai in the "Ladies and gentlemen, Before British Colony. The registration proceeding with the election of will undoubtedly result in the cfficials for the coming year and Jabolition of the mui-tsai system The Adopted Daughter. presenting to you the general re- fand realisation of a great aim of
Of course, the Society's greatest port of the past year it gives me this Society. Despite this success desire is that a right__modus the greatest pleasure to witness we hope that all enthusiastic supperandi
be found to the big gathering of members and porters of this great cause will deal with cases concerning the Bupporters to-day. Your interest continue their unselfish work to elusive "adopted daughter" and the and enthusiasm are encouraging to disseminate helpful information anonymous communications report my fellow-workers and to me. and remove misunderstanding Thanks to all co-workers I have among our people. We look for- been able to continue with this ward with confidence towards the uphill fight for the sake of restoration of freedom to the four humanity, acting as chairman of thousand registered mui-tsais, to this Society for all these years, put them on an equal footing with and despite my inefficiency the their sisters and to make this fore- keen interest taken by the many most free-port in the Far East a supporters of this Society for the port of freedom for mui-tsais. welfare of the mui-tsai in Hong- kong has made possible the regis- tration of mui-tsai, the beneficial results of which afford great satisfaction to all lovers of humanity.
Past Achievements.
Secretary's Report. The Honorary English Secretary, Mr. J. D. Bush, said:
4,299
ac-
acts
Ladies and gentlemen: Looking back on the records of work of this Society, there is legitimate ca.use "I would like to take this first for some satisfaction at what has opportunity of mentioning the been accomplished during the year valued assistance which I have under review. Registration is now secured from our English Secre- an accomplished fact, with tary, Mr. J. D. Bush, whose con- mui-tsai actually registered, and stant advice and untiring effort to the courts in the Colony are do social service have been to me tive in enforcing the law and a lasting memory and great help. bringing to justice any gross I think all members to-day agree of extreme brutality. On the whole with me that without the unremit- these neglected children are placed ting efforts of Mr. Bush the under more effective protection by accomplishment of registration the Female Domestics Ordinance. for the mul-tsai of Hongkong Anyone following closely the re- would not have been possible. ports in the local English and Chinese press could not but take "Our Chinese Secretary, Mr. note of the punishment meted out Wong She-tin, has shown deep in stubborn cases of cruelty and interest in this form of work, to flagrant breaches of the law in non- serve the less fortunate section of registration and in buying and the community, and despite his selling of mui-tsai. In the two out- short connexion with this Society standing cases deserving more than he is able to-day to present the passing notice
defendant records of the past year in a re-was fined $500 for buying and markable manner. On a happy selling and the other met the occasion like this I cannot but stern penalty of six months' recall some of the past achieve-imprisonment
for treating ments of this Society, which was child of six in a brutal fashion. first inaugurated under the able The melancholy condition of the direction of Mr. J. M. Wong on child really horrified everyone in August 8, 1921, and the foresight court at the time. Our Chinese of Mr. Wong is, therefore, to a Secretary has dealt in detail with large extent responsible for the the number of cases reported subsequent achievement of this the Society during the past twelve Society.
months and it is needless for me to dwell on that point further.
one
A
to
ing cases
may
un-
Society will not have done its duty until the knowledge is possessed by all that it is not a charity but an agent for justice, seeking the wel- fare of a certain section of happy and down-trodden children. with I conclude
words these from notable champion of the child in England: "No credit is taken for all this. It is as it should be. The eleven thousand lady collectors and the hundred thou- sand contributors are moved by a deep love for children in suffering and need. It is due to them, as to the little sufferers in whose in- terests they join hands, that the and application of common sense practical methods should load to use, to the best advantage, of every penny given to the Society."
Statistics.
re-
In his report of the events corded in the past year, the Chinese Secretary, Mr. Wong She-tin, said:
"Once again we are gathered
here to tell you of the accomplish- ments during the year just past. It is pleasing to be able to say that we have succeeded in having registration enforced, which doubt helps to improve the lot of the mui-tsai in the Colony to a considerable extent.
no
The following constitutes the total number of mui-tsai cases dealt with through this Society since October 1929: Complaints made at this Society
by mui-tsais personally Complaints made by correspon-
dence
43
13
56
Of these mui-tsais set free by their owners during the re- gistration period numbered 12 Mui-tsais liberated by order of
the Court Out of this number, girls have
been restored to their rela tives
The rest, not having any rela- tives, were entrusted to the custody of the Po Leung Kuk Cases favourably decided by the mui-tsais, left in the tem- porary custody of their
owners Mui-tsai returned to her rela-
tive after registration Owners fined or imprisoned for ill-treatment after registra- tion
20
14
6
2
1
2
1
Owners fined by Court for
cruelty before registration Cases reported to the S.C.A.
and discharged because of in- sufficient evidence Cases, action being taken Cases still being investigated 6
8 4
56
Only First Step. "From the foregoing, it will be noted with satisfaction the active interest taken in the mui-tsai. But
this is only a first step, and there is yet much to be done to reach the goal of complete emancipation. Why? Because, according to our original estimate, the number of quitsai in the Colony were about 8,000 or more, out of which only 4,299 have registered What has become of the remainder? We know that the more kindly owners have set free a goodly number, possibly before the enforcement of registration, yet there must be huge number being sent away sur- reptitiously elsewhere, while still others
purposely ignored registration. It is the fate of the
have
unregistered for whom we are most anxious. This explains what I mean when I say that our work is incomplete.
of ill-treatment of muí- tsai. More often than not, the enquiries made by the S.CA. into these cases, however reliable our informants may be, have proved to be fruitless. Greatly needed are the services of absolutely trained men whose instincts must be for the good of the children; without this qualification it is impossible to expect the general public to take an interest in child welfare and to use this Society by reporting cases There is no denying that these cases are complex and therefore require skilful handling. Time and again in so far as regards these cases, the S.C.A. have been led to raise the question: "Why don't these anonymous informants report direct to this Office." They would if they could. But in general, people lay-Hitherto our propaganda work ing the information of cruelty in & is directed mainly against the brutal certain neighbourhood do not wish
owners of inui-tsai. Nothing has been done to help the mui-tsai their names to be disclosed. There
is a shrinking fear. Human nature themselves to understand their own is the same all the world
legal position after registration. People hesitate to give their names Many of these girls are so cowed and addresses so as not to run the down by their owners that they risk of being called upon to appear have been left in total ignorance in the police court to give evidence. of the primary purpose of registra tion and therefore dare not go to the S.C.A. to also, there must be acores and scores of mui-tsai, who though re- gistered, are still groaning under the brutal hands of their mistresses. Something must be done to help these poor girls out of their fear in Kwangtung were also discuss- and ignorance This is the second ed, but the consensus of opinion reason for saying that our work is was that such a society at Canton incomplete.
Two Workers.
over.
Let me have the pleasure of bring- ing to your notice a book from the pen of Lt. Comdr. and Mrs. H. L. Haslewood on the Mai Tsai Ques tion in Hongkong. I commend it highly to those of you who desire to have a complete record of this most complex and perplexing issue. As it is announced in the preface of the book that "Authors' profits will be devoted to the cause of the mui tsai" I would like to see many of you here take up a copy each. The book is obtainable Messrs. Kelly & Walsh, Ltd.
The position of the mui tsai in Hongkong from the legal point
of view, is now:
at
(1) No further mui tsai are to be taken into employment in the Colony.
(2) No mui tsai unless previously registered in the Colony is to be brought into the Colony. (3) Employers have no authority to keep a mui tsai if she wishes to leave.
(4) Existing mui tsai have all to
be registered.
(5) Existing mui tsai are to be
paid wages.
"In those days of pioneering dif- ficulties and undisguised opposi-
I will, however, supplement tion to our aims, the Society was the remarks of the previous fortunate in having as its English speakers by acquainting you with Secretary Mr. C. G. Anderson, other gratifying results and other who served us in this capacity for perplexities still confronting the seven years. His resignation on Society. There yet remains much the eye of the Government giving to be accomplished. The public in sanction to registration of mui- the Colony and in Canton have tsai is greatly to be regretted, but to be educated and inspired anew his work will always be held in to realize the social ignorance, the grateful remembrance.
callous indifference and apathy "Another loss to us is the towards child welfare. "When we resignation from the Chinese lose feeling for a child's sorrow we Secretaryship of Mr. Ngan Kwan- must blush crimson in deepest yu, who co-operated closely in shame.”
Lest the general public still have those seven long years with Mr.
A Comparison.
a hazy idea of the present position Anderson. The former Chinese I may add, in passing, there is of the mui tsai, I quote the above Secretary is known for his sound sadness in the reflection that the five essentials from the book that judgment and great enthusiasm. S.P.C.A. in the Colony can be more I wish to recommend to you. His keenness to serve this Society active than the S.P.C.C. If pro- We look forward with heightened is amply demonstrated by his tection of animals can stimulate interest to the day when there recent consent to compile a book so much interest and ardour in our shall be absolute co-ordination of recording the history of this midst. surely we can include in our effort between the S.C.A., the Society. We all agree that this purview the child as well. This Child Welfare Society and all those is a happy choice to have in Mr. leads me to a further consideration who are concerned in the work for Ngan. a willing worker and of the Child Welfare Society of the prevention of cruelty to scholarly man for such a book, Hongkong. We are heartily glad children. The mui tsai constitute a Foreign Supporters. of its coming into existence during preponderant part of the child wel the past year, but we would like fare problem in the Colony. This
"The unwearying support of this
register. Then,
should be first organised on the initiation of the Canton public, although the Hongkong Society pledges its strong support for similar work in Kwangtung.
Still Incomplete. "As a Chinese has it: To con- quer a city is not mightier than to captivate the heart of the people.' A similar expression in English is Touching on the point of the "Opinion is the queen of the world, numerous anonymous letters re- whilst force is only its tyrant.' ceived from time to time by the This remark applies forcibly to the Anti-Mui-tsai Society, it was present owners of mui-taai, who pointed out that if the senders must be made to realise the suffer-disclosed their names in the ings of the slaves in their hands.majority of cases they might The enforcement of the law is, render better assistance to the after all, only partially effective. work of the officers of the S.C.A. The hardest task before us and the Society. If they were therefore is to educate and awaken afraid to reveal their identity, it the public conscience to the wrongs might not be necessary for them done to mui-tsai and it is hoped to give evidence. in Court. that the word "Mui-tsai" will be During the meeting a concert dropped out of the Chinese voca- was given to vary the proceedings, bulary completely. This is my
A musical item was rendered in third reason for telling you delightful manner by Messrs. that our work in the cause of Peter Cheung, Chan Tak-kwong emancipating the mui-tsai is still and Lum On-ling. Chinese music incomplete.'
and singing by Messrs. Hung Kim- Future Plans.
chau, Lam Wan-lok, Chan Shiu, The meeting also discussed and Lam Liu-yee, and Lee Dic-sang resolved to continue with the cam- was warmly applauded. Others paign to secure more members of who contributed to make the con- the Society and anyone who is cert a success were Messrs. Tso interested in this form of child Ling-wai, Ng Chi-chiu, Lee Kwok- welfare work can become a mem-leung and Lum Tin-tsai, The ber by making a first and last con- concert concluded with another tribution of fifty cents to the Chinese musical item by Messrs. Society. The possibilities of Chu Hau-cheung, Pau Shin-chuen, opening a branch society at Can-and Chu Tak-cheung.
Light re- ton to look after child welfare freshments were served.