CO129-446 - Others & Individuals - 1917 — Page 359

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When I read the report of these cases I was astounded. I ade enquiries to see if these were isolated cases of the buying and selling of slaves. I have now the still more astounding evidence that the number of slave women in this Colony, held on exactly the same terms as these two girls can be numbered by tens of thousands.That Hong Kong is officially cognisant of the fact, and that the official classes say that slave owning" is a "Chinese custom" which the Chief Justice, Sir William Kees Davies) says we agreed to recognise by

clamation when we took over the Colony. If this excuse

kere true, it would only mean that some muddle-headed clerk in the reign of Queen Victoria had forgotto state what must be assumed,

ely, that no Proclamation could abrogate the fundamental law

of the British healm.

But it is not true thut we have ever issued such a

roclamation. The very Proclamation referred to, specifically cluded "Torture and Slavery" from the native customs, which

were prepared to recognise. Further Sir John avis,

the

Governor of Hong Kong issued a Proclamation, January 24th, 1845

Milch amongst other things stated "That the Acts of Parliament

for the abolition of the Slave trade and Slavery extend by their

a proper force and authority to Hong Kong and that these Acts ill be enforced by all Her Majesty's Officers, Civil, and Filitary within the Colony.

In this quotation you notice that the King's officers te