32
(1) with enclosures and (2) on 92583/33/32
and copy of Hong Kong Ordinance No. 4 of 1897 for
convenience of reference.
As regards Muitsai in Hong Kong, I do not
think that there is much we need say to Mr. Harris at
the present stage. Hardly any connection has been
suggested in the Report between the Muitsai system
and prostitution. We should, however, I think draw
attention to the statement on page 172 of the Report
that Hong Kong Ordinance No.1 of 1923 "provides for
the ultimate abolition of the Muitsai system in the
Colony in a not distant future" and explain that in
fact the system was abolished by the Ordinance and
that the girls who were Muitsai are now free to leave
their employers if they wish to return to their
parents, or if they are illtreated, that their status
is now that of free, paid domestic servants, and that
they are no longer Muitsai except in name. The
girls who were Muitsal were registered to the number
of 4368 in 1930. The number remaining on the
register had fallen to 3017 on the 30th of November,
1932, and will continue to fall, as the girls return
to their arents, leave the Colony, marry, enter
domestic service or for other reasons are struck off
the register.
I think it might be convenient to let
Mr. Harris have for his personal information copies of
all the half-yearly reports on Nuitsai which have been
received from the Governor of Hong Kong since 1950,
that is to sey:-
(1)