CO129-473 - Individuals - 1921 — Page 170

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PAUL

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than they are at present, but a new burden would be laid on the well disposed. And the burden would be a heavy one: a registration scheme would create endless openings for squeeze and blackmail, in addition to the interference with private life already referred to. The ground would be well prepared for such a development by the ignorance of most of the Chinese concerned, and not less by the suspicions that would be aroused in a very large class,even of honest people, that the Govern- ment had some ulterior motive in their registration

scheme. These would attempt to hide the truth, and would so give the blackmailer his opportunity.

The

Chinese genius for squeeze and blackmail as well as the

weakness which the victims show, are matters almost in-

conceivable to those who have not been in direct touch

with the people.

It would

So much for general registration.

fail because evasion would be too easy: and because it

would lack public sympathy or even perhaps alienate it

by the Regulations that any serious attempt to enforce

it would require.

But would a partial registration scheme be

possible for Hongkong resi iente alone? The abuses are not mainly in the class that seems to be intended by this suggestion for while it is difficult to define exactly what *Hongkong resident" means, those who have made Hongkong their permanent home are little, if at all,

concerned in the mui tsai traffic. But all who can

afford it from the highest down, own mui tasi; and this part of the community is very ready to do all it can for their protection. Juch limited registration would mean in a more pointed manner than ever that the well disposed should be put to extra trouble: and the omission from the Regulations of the regular trafficker, who moves about the country and lives nowhere, would entirely

emasculate