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traders" (pedlars, commission agents, or guides). Their social status is low, and the funds at their disposal at any one time are probably small. In fact it is not unlikely that these persons are usually agents working on commission. Their em- ployers may be individuals or possibly syndicates working through a Chinese board- ing house. In one case the method is believed to have been to advance money to these agents in return for a promissory note. No doubt also credit is given by the boarding house on the same terms.
The following methods of procuring women have been used:-purchase from relatives; purchase from bandits or kidnappers; promises to find work, husband or relatives; seduction by a man associated with the trafficker. In the latter case the victim is ashamed to return to her family and is thus more easily induced to emigrate. No doubt also many girls take to prostitution willingly in the belief that the life is as they say "merry and luxurious". There is no evidence that passports have been forged for this purpose. It is said that girls proceeding to Singapore are sometimes provided with temporary 'husbands' in order to deceive the authorities but no evid- ence is available. Chinese do not as a rule carry marriage certificates. In the case of Canada and the United States of America, evidence of marriage is required and there is some evidence that false marriages do take place. Traffickers sometimes work in conjunction with the Chinese crews of ships. It is not unknown for police. searchers to find girls stowed away in ships.
The Appendix contains documents in illustration of this answer.
2. Has your Government any information as to whether there are any national or inter- national organisations of traffickers operating in your country?
Ans. None.
3. Please state the routes, stages of the journey and places of clandestine entry or departure, if any, of women and children coming to or leaving your country for immoral purposes, particularly prostitution.
Ans.
This question scarcely seems to apply to local conditions. It is sup- posed that women sometimes proceed to Singapore via Chinese ports or Bangkok in order to evade the Hong Kong examination.
4. Does the information at the disposal of your Government indicate any change in the volume of this traffic year by year during the last five years? If so, does the information suggest changes also in the age, status, etc., of the women and children secured for the traffic or changes in the methods used by the traffickers?
Ans. Open emigration of prostitutes to Singapore ceased in 1927, otherwise the Government does not possess sufficient evidence on which to base an opinion.
5. Has your Government any available statistics regarding immigration and emigration for each year from 1925 to 1930 inclusive? It would be convenient if such statistics could be furnished in as full a manner as possible and especially on the following points:
(a) Total number of male and female immigrants and emigrants classified accord-
ing to age and nationality;
(b) Number of women and female children, travelling neither with husbands nor parents, who have been admitted to your country or have departed therefrom each year during the last five years classified, as regards immigrants, accord- ing to nationality and, if possible, also according to age groups (under 14, between 14 and 21, over 21) and according to occupation;
(c) Number, age, nationality and length of residence of foreign women, as defined in General Question No. 6, who are known to be engaged in prostitution in your
country, either in licensed houses or elsewhere.
Ans. (a) The following figures are taken from the annual reports furnished by the Harbour Master. They refer only to Chinese and do not include passengers passing to and fro between Hong Kong and ports in China.
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