CO129-470 - Public Offices - 1921 — Page 545

m-avoda kilḥí lo wel odt le moitklanmı3 A

.ngivoren isenions.

found proper. This surested

542*

all hereditary, servants of Thinese and the children ren of auch hereditary servants be released and that al Rein in service in their masters house be regarded as hired ermits. Roth persong who have hitherto been servints and males or Jemales who are banceforward engaged as servants, shall, whether «nclbyr chinese, continue to observe the duties of servants to

matters.

|(7) As-ignment in marriage within time limit of girl slaves of previous times. In most cases of girl daves purchased by deed Among the common people, go-betweens are employed and there is no

al30, if means ascertaining the true relatives of the parties. it be roade compulsory to hand the person back to her relatives, "distance and lapse of time may both cause difficulties which may

hinder the journey being wide, and create troublesome complications. The law is that on those puilty of not assigning girl slaves in

triage with the result that much percons are left alone in the world punishment should be inflicted according to the full severity

'n are lirit should of the law against breaches of correct conduct. therefore be fixed and marriage before its attainment rendered com- pulsory. It is suggested that in future those who have in provious tune been girl alaves and are above the age of 2b, be if they have no relatives, assigned in marriage by their masters, it being not pemitted to receive payment for the persons of those thus assigned 'in marriage, and that infringement of this rule be puished as pro-

viec by law.

.J

(8) Permission of taking of concubines by (o-betweɛn only. In

and prostem countries no one is permitted to take a concubine,

apan has recently followed the western practice and gives no officil

Chinese minners and customs thority for the taking of concubines.

kro, however, different from those of western countries and this institution cannot well be abruptly abolished. Revertheless, hitherto unions have been effected by go-betreens, and others by purchase

with money.

It is therefore right that a fixed procedure be laid dom so as to conform to the present policy. In the laws of the T'ang dynasty a concubine was normally taken by marriage deed.

It