CO129-473 - Individuals - 1921 — Page 172

:

4/-

for Chrisze

}

170

The attitude often taken up by foreigners

on this question seems to ignore the efforts of the

Chinese themselves in Hong Kong and indeed would almost seem to deny them the possession of any proper sympathy or initiative. The institution known BE

the r'e Leung Kuk is evidence to the contrary; and it is

difficult to see what better means there are of finding

a solution of the difficulty. The Kuk is managed and

financed by voluntary annual Committees of Chinese,

there being in aqdition a permanent Committee, called

when necessary, of the most prominent and public

spirited residents of the Colony. All of them have

served on the Annual Committee, and on other

charitable Committees as well. The Kuk itself is

the Girls' Home and in it are kept cases unver under consideration: special ordinances give the necessary powers; but very many cases are dealt with daily that do not go through the flome itself. The Committee is the 5.C.A's advisory board in such matters: cases are constantly daily referred for

advice; and the Police are in the closest touch

with the institution and the community at large

frequently senda cases to it direct. checks every detail of the Institution and of the Committee's work through the S.C.A. The Committee keep

The Government

in touch with charitable bodies all over China, and not infrequently succeed in checking a girl's statements

when necesBAT"] and in finding her parents or relations: girls are escorted home through the assistance of these other bodies. Some claimants to girls are permitted

under

after enquiry to keep them bond; other girls are kept till they can be married from the kuk or till they

Every are properly adopted under bond in both cases,

-

possible kind of case passes through the hands of the Committee, which sits daily-including Sundays- ai brings to

bear