Downing Street,
22 August, 1921.
Sir,
I am directed by Mr. Secretary Churchill to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 10th of August on the subject of mui tsai in Hong Kong.
2. Mr. Churchill is well aware that the system of mui tsai has recently aroused considerable interest in certain circles in this country. He considers, however, that little weight can be attached to criticisms based mainly on the invidious and inappropriate use of the word "slavery" and on reports of cases of ill-treatment which have been brought to light by the efforts of the Po Leung Kuk and the Hong Kong Government to secure the protection of that small proportion of mui tsai which has been unfortunate enough to fall into unsuitable hands.
Such criticisms pay no attention to the reasons which have led to the adoption of the system, and the wide difference between the points of view of Chinese and English respectively, or to the efforts made to prevent abuses.
In his opinion, as has been previously stated, it is only possible to deal with the matter by social work in which the Chinese themselves take part. He is not prepared to take the step of directing the passing of a law prohibiting any...
Page 18
ע
hóa. Hong Kong.
40065.
30
616
DRAFT.
E SECRETARY,
Ind
TI-SLAVERY & ABORIGINES
TACTION SOCIETY
MINUTE.
Mr.
Beckett.
Mr. Colline
Mr.
Mr. Grindle.
Sir H. Lambert,
Sir H. Read,
Sir G. Fiddes.
Bal-Amery
выбра
/12/8
Xur. Wood, 1975
Mr. Chaunchill.
D
Encl, in 38683
Engl. in 36172
m.action
ahay is for.
Sir,
Downing Street,
22 August, 1921.
I am directed by Mr. Secretary
Churchill to acknowledge the receipt of
your letter of the 10th of August on the subject of mui tsai in Hong Kong.
2+
Mr. Churchill is well aware that
the system of mui tsai has recently aroused considerable interest in certain circles
in this country. He considers however that
little weight can be attached to criti-
cisms. based mainly on the invidious and
inappropriate use of the word slavery and
on reports of cases of ill-treatment which am brought
e. to light by the efforts of the Po
Leung Kuk and the Hong Kong Government to
secure the protection of that small propor-
tion of mui taai which has been unfortunate
enough to fall into unsuitable hands,
Such criticisma pay no attention to the
reasons which have led to the adoption of
the system, and the wide difference between
the points of view of Chinese and English
respectively, or to the efforts made, to
In his opinion, as has
18
prevent abuses.
been previously stated, it only possible
to deal with the matter by social work
in which the Chinese themselves take part,
He is not prepared to take the step of
directing the passing of a law prohibiting
any
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