CO129-461 - Governor Sir Stubbs - 1920 [5-7] — Page 434

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have in their possession servant- girls whom poverty alone has separated from their parents, that they should be treated with sympathy and considerateness. In Hongkong, the severe punish- ment meted out to masters and mistresses found guilty of flagrant cruelty to child-servants, should serve as a sufficient deter- rent. I strongly condemn ill- treatment of the young, be they one's own children or bought servants, and welcome any preventive measure; but I bold to Toy opinion that the prohibition of buying and selling of children would result in far. greater evile, unious means were found to support the millions of I poor who struggle for bare'

existence in China.

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