CO129-286 - Acting Governor Major Gen Black Governor Sir Blake & Public Offices - 1898 [11-12] — Page 141

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6.

In Justification of such a course strong **i-

dence has been laid before me of the growth of disease

and the prevalence of other abuses since the Ordinances

were abolished, and the opinion of responsible men on

the spot the men both official and unofficial to whom

-

I should naturally look for information and guidanc

on local questions is mainly if not unanikously to

the effect that the result of repealing the Ordinanses

has been disastrous.

I recognise the fact that there has been a

increase of disease since the Ordinances were repealed;

and it may also be true that there has been an increase

of brothel slavery: but on the latter point I notice

from the reports of the Protector of Chinese As Wall

as of the Registrar General at Hong Kong, that there

has been at least as mich rescue work done sines region

tration was abolished, as in the preceding years.

7. I admit that the funt that certain laws aro

or are not in force in the United Kingdom is not la 45′′

self a sufficient reason for applying or abolishing similar laws in tropical Colonies differing from the nother country in climate, race, social, moral and 25 mm

ligions conditions. Further, I an not prepared to deny

that one way of meeting the evilɛ to which my attention

has been called would be the renewal of the repealed

Ordinances, if their renewal met with general saqiing.

canos: but hare again I mat repeat that respect i8132 be had to existing facts. It is certain that to auch

renewed there would be in this country a very atrac

Opposition.

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