CO129-472 - Others - 1921 — Page 380

HONG KONG

377

GENERAL REPORT

-11-

REGISTRATION OF PROSTITUTION (continued).

We consider the condition of the brothel would be an advantage to those anxious to suppress kidnapping, and we are convinced it is essential in the interests of public health.

The argument that unless the commercial value of the (a) girl as a prostitute is maintained the exposure of girl

babies at birth will increase does not seem to show a sense of social values, and does not take into account the harm done to the individual girl and the frequent extension of the disease to the household of those whom she infecta.

·

If the British are to undertake to save the unwanted girl babies of China they must provide training and maintenance facilities for them so that they may become a social asset and not a racial poison.

SAMPAN BOATS,

We understand that infection is frequently acquired by seafarers, especially those on small ships in port for a short time, by a custom which exists of allowing women access to ships from boats. We understand it is a practice for women from the brothels to charter sampana and board the ships in the evening, remaining there until the next morning. There are no restrictions whatever at present as to women having access to ships at any time of the day or night. It is generally known by those in touch with the life of the port that this practice is extremely common. Also the tendency in all ports is

for those women most highly infected, or known ashore to be infected and therefore less likely to earn, to seek custom among those to whom their condition is unknown.

We consider. this practice extremely dangerous to public health, and that some protection should be given by the authorities in the way of removing this opportunity of invitation to infection from men on duty on board ship.

We understand that during the War regulations were in force that checked the movement of sampane at night. The objections to the proposal that these regulations should be resumed rested on the ground of its limitation of trade facilities.

It is suggested that the regulation forbidding the free movement of sampans in the harbour after dark could be reinforced, and that permits should be given to those ships loading cargo or coaling at night to continue their work.

It is also suggested that an enforcement of the Brothel Law would check the open traffic between the brothels and the ships.

We believe that conditions could be improved:

-

By an Ordinance forbidding women to visit ships (a) Girl babies are exposed soon after birth on the hill

side or river banks. Usually their mouths are filled with mud to hasten death.