Mr. Russell
Enclosure!
HONGKONG.
REPORT ON CHILD ADOPTION AND DOMESTIC SERVICE AMONG HONGKONG Chinese.
In the correspondence respecting the alleged "Existence of Chinese Slavery in Hongkong," presented to both Houses of Parliament, by command of Her Majesty, in March, 1882, Lord KIMBERLEY, after referring to certain safeguards for the protection of children in Hongkong, in a despatch to the Governor, states :-" But I am "checked in the consideration of these and other propositions by my uncertainty as to the facts of the system of child adoption and domestic service as it prevails in Hongkong, which are represented with the greatest diversity by those who approve "and disapprove of the system. I desire therefore that you will institute a full and trustworthy inquiry into the facts, forwarding to me, as soon as it can be completed,
a report thereon, and I request that in connection with such report the question may be considered whether any and if so what measures should be taken to remove any of the evils that may be brought to light by the inquiry." (Command paper 3185 of 1882, page 123).
In illustration of the diversity of opinion which prevails as to the facts, Lord KIMBERLEY points out that "Sir JOHN SMALE never heard of a case of purchase for adoption in the Colony," whilst Dr. EITEL spoke of the demand for young children under the system of adoption and domestic service as being large at an average price of $40, and that Mr. FRANCIS stated "that boys are bought and sold in Hongkong for adoption."
In reporting upon the facts of child adoption and domestic service it may be convenient to group what observations I have to make under four heads, as follow:-
Where the parents or guardians voluntarily part with their children.
i. Child adoption as existing among Chinese at Hongkong, male and female; abuses connected therewith.
ii. Domestic service amongst Chinese living in Hongkong, confined to females only; abuses connected therewith.
iii. Kidnapping; as partly chargeable to the Chinese system of adoption or service.
iv. Suggestions for the prevention of abuses growing out of child adoption and domestic service.
I.
Adoption of male children in China is founded on the necessity of having male representative to perform sacrificial ancestral rites. So much is it so that if a man dies without male representatives as sons, natural or adopted, a son may be adopted for him by his people. The origin and reason of the requirement will be found fully described in a Chinese petition addressed to the Governor and in Dr. EITEL'S learned paper on "Domestic Servitude in relation to Slavery." These documents are published at pages 44-57 of the Blue-book already referred to. The rule among the Cantonese when adoption is decided upon is to seek a nearly related male agnate of a generation younger, generally a nephew. The father as a rule will give any of his boys but the eldest. The second son is the one usually selected. The principal members of the clan are notified of the fact of adoption. Among near relatives no money appears to pass and no “deed of sale or deed of gift" is made. If, however, the relations are very poor, a small sum of money may be
Page 151
Mr. Russell
Enclosure!
HONGKONG.
REPORT ON CHILD ADOPTION AND DOMESTIC SERVICE AMONG HONGKONG Chinese.
In the correspondence respecting the alleged "Existence of Chinese Slavery in Hongkong," presented to both Houses of Parliament, by command of Her Majesty, in March, 1882, Lord KIMBERLEY, after referring to certain safeguards for the protec- tion of children in Hongkong, in a despatch to the Governor, states :-" But I am "checked in the consideration of these and other propositions by my uncertainty as to the facts of the system of child adoption and domestic service as it prevails in 'Hongkong, which are represented with the greatest diversity by those who approve "and disapprove of the system. I desire therefore that you will institute a full and trustworthy inquiry into the facts, forwarding to me, as soon as it can be completed,
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a report thereon, and I request that in connection with such report the question may be considered whether any and if so what measures should be taken to remove any of the evils that may be brought to light by the inquiry." (Command paper 3185 of 1882, page 123).
In illustration of the diversity of opinion which prevails as to the facts, Lord KIMBERLEY points out that "Sir JOHN SMALE never heard of a case of purchase for adoption in the Colony," whilst Dr. ErTEL spoke of the demand for young children under the system of adoption and domestic service as being large at an average price of $40, and that Mr. FRANCIS stated "that boys are bought and sold in Hongkong for adoption."
In reporting upon the facts of child adoption and domestic service it may be con- venient to group
what observations I have to make under four heads, as follow:-
Where the parents
or guardians volun- tarily part with their
children.
i. Child adoption as existing among Chinese at Hongkong, male
and female; abuses connected therewith.
ii. Domestic service amongst Chinese living in Hongkong, con-
fined to females only; abuses connected therewith.
iii. Kidnapping; as partly chargeable to the Chinese system of
adoption or service.
iv. Suggestions for the prevention of abuses growing out of child
adoption and domestic service.
I.
Adoption of male children in China is founded on the necessity of having male representative to perform sacrificial ancestral rites. So much is it so that if a man dies without male representatives as sons, natural or adopted, a son may be adopted for him by his people. The origin and reason of the requirement will be found fully described in a Chinese petition addressed to the Governor and in Dr. EITEL'S learned paper on
"Domestic Servitude in relation to Slavery." These documents are published at pages 44-57 of the Blue-book already referred to. The rule among the Cantonese when adoption is decided upon is to seek a nearly related male agnate of a generation younger, generally a nephew. The father as a rule will give any of his boys but the eldest. The second son is the one usually selected. The principal members of the clan are notified of the fact of adoption. Among near relatives no money appears to pass and no “deed of sale or deed of gift" is made. If, however, the relations are very poor, a small sum of money inay be
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