CO129-466 - Individuals - 1920 — Page 217

CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案 All AI Reviewed

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and that Mr. Long at that time expressed his appreciation at Mr. Appleton's attitude in bringing the matter privately to his notice, and promised to have it investigated.

This was done and a telegram was received from Hong Kong giving a brief summary of the position and promising a despatch on the subject.

The substance of the telegram was communicated to Mr. Appleton.

I am afraid that when the despatch arrived his interest in the matter, which had only appeared in Mr. Long's personal correspondence, was overlooked and in due course the texts, the gist of the Governor's reports, etc., were received.

(23769/18)

I fear there is rather prevarication here at all.

I think it will be best if we don't speak too harshly to Mr. Appleton.

The Governor's statement at that time was as follows:-

The Governor stated quite definitely that the law of the Colony does not recognise the existence of any servile status whatever.

According to his statement, the custom of purchasing female domestic servants ("mui tsai") exists all over China, and many households in Hong Kong have such servants; but the law of the Colony does not recognise the purchase as conferring any title or right whatever, the girls are absolutely free in law as against the purchasers, and in cases of ill-treatment they are removed.

A later report from the Officer Administering the Government of the Colony states that there have been no attempts either in the North or the South to deal by legislation with the question of "mui tsai", and that the universal practice in this matter remains unchanged throughout China.

... does not constitute any ground for action.

If you care to see the despatches I will give instructions for them to be shown to you at any time when it will be convenient for you to make an appointment to come and discuss the matter with the Hong Kong Department.

I may add that we have recently

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1and that Mr. Long at that time expressed his appreciation at Mr. Appleton's attitude in bringing the matter privately to his notice, and promised to have it investigated.This was done and a telegram was received from Hong Kong giving a brief summary of the position and promising a despatch on the subject.The substance of the telegram was communicated to Mr. Appleton.I am afraid that when the despatch arrived his interest in the matter, which had only appeared in Mr. Long's personal correspondence, was overlooked and in due course the texts, the gist of the Governor's reports, etc., were received.(23769/18)I fear there is rather prevarication here at all.I think it will be best if we don't speak too harshly to Mr. Appleton.The Governor's statement at that time was as follows:-The Governor stated quite definitely that the law of the Colony does not recognise the existence of any servile status whatever.According to his statement, the custom of purchasing female domestic servants ("mui tsai") exists all over China, and many households in Hong Kong have such servants; but the law of the Colony does not recognise the purchase as conferring any title or right whatever, the girls are absolutely free in law as against the purchasers, and in cases of ill-treatment they are removed.A later report from the Officer Administering the Government of the Colony states that there have been no attempts either in the North or the South to deal by legislation with the question of "mui tsai", and that the universal practice in this matter remains unchanged throughout China.... does not constitute any ground for action.If you care to see the despatches I will give instructions for them to be shown to you at any time when it will be convenient for you to make an appointment to come and discuss the matter with the Hong Kong Department.I may add that we have recently
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1and that Mr. Long at that time ex-ofpressed his appreciation at Mr. Appleton's attitude in bringing the matter privately to his notice, and promised to have it investigated.This was done and a telegram was received from Hong Kong giving & brief summary of the position and promising a despatch on the subject.The substance of the telegram was communicated to Mr. Appleton.[btI am afraid that when the despatch arrived his interest in the matter, which had only appeared/in Mr.Long's personal correspondence, was overlooked in due coursereceived and the texts. the gist of the Governor's reports etALKOT(23769/18)I fear them is rathe prevarication ביזו<I think it will be betat all. we dist not so harf to Ms A.Burd*Coats that time was as follows:-The Governor stated quite definitely that the law of the Colony does not recognise the existence of any servile status what-ever.According to his statement, custom of purchasing female domesticthe servants ("mui tsai") exists all over China, and many households in Hong Kong haveافة215have such servants; but the law of the Colony does not recognise the purchase as conferring any title or right whatever, the girls are absolutely free in law as against the purchasers, and in cases of ill-treatment they are removed.A later report from the Officer Administering the Government of the Colony states that there have been no attempts either in the North or the South to deal by legislation with the ques-tion of "mui tsai", and that the universal practise in this matterریالIn the cines · What that wasS.of s remains unchanged throughout China.dist not corvmater amy ground for action.If you care to see the despatches I will give instructions for them to be shown to you at any time when it will be convenient for you to make an appointment to come and discuss the matter with the Hong Kong Department.I may add that we have recently
2026-06-26 14:33:39 · Baseline
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1

and that Mr. Long at that time ex-

of

pressed his appreciation at Mr.

Appleton's attitude in bringing the

matter privately to his notice, and

promised to have it investigated.

This was done and a telegram was

received from Hong Kong giving &

brief summary of the position and

promising a despatch on the subject.

The substance of the telegram was

communicated to Mr. Appleton. [bt

I am afraid that when the despatch

arrived his interest in the matter,

which had only appeared/in Mr.Long's

personal correspondence, was overlooked in due course received and the texts. the gist of the Governor's reports et

ALKOT

(23769/18)

I fear them is rathe prevarication

ביזו

<

I think it will be bet

at all.

we dist not so harf to Ms A.

Burd

*Coats

that time was as follows:-

The

Governor stated quite definitely that

the law of the Colony does not recognise

the existence of any servile status what-

ever.

According to his statement,

custom of purchasing female domestic

the

servants ("mui tsai") exists all over

China, and many households in Hong Kong

have

افة

215

have such servants;

but the law of

the Colony does not recognise the

purchase as conferring any title or

right whatever, the girls are

absolutely free in law as against

the purchasers, and in cases of ill-

treatment they are removed. A later

report from the Officer Administering

the Government of the Colony states

that there have been no attempts

either in the North or the South to

deal by legislation with the ques-

tion of "mui tsai", and that the

universal practise in this matter

ریال

In the cines · What that was

S.of s

remains unchanged throughout China.

dist not corvmater amy ground for action. If you care to see the despatches I

will give instructions for them to

be shown to you at any time when

it will be convenient for you to

make an appointment to come and

discuss the matter with the Hong

Kong Department.

I may add that we have

recently

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