CO129-473 - Individuals - 1921 — Page 192

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that a remedy will to some extent be provided by the extension of free or cheap schools to which I have referred in my

despatch of 21st December, 1920.

(8) Lieutenant Commander Haslewood can scarcely be ignorant of the fact that, whatever may be said by such persons as the anonymous writer in the "Canton Times", the sale of children

is still prevalent throughout China, ▲ reference to any newE-

paper report of the proceedings of the Famine Relief Committeer in the North will show that thousands of children are being sold there for practically nothing.

(9) See the minute of the Secretary for Chinese Affairs.

in the face of it it would appear not unlikely that the writer

of the letter was enjoying a joke at Lieutenant Commander

llanlewood's expense. ▲ resident of 20 years standinų; must

know perfectly well that if any case of oruelty were reported

either to the Police or to the authorities of the to Leun kuk

it would be investigated immediately.

3.

The last paragraph of Lieutenant Commander

Haslewood's notes deserves special comment. The sugestion is

that the views of the Honourable Vr. Lau Chu-pak and Dr. Pearol

are entitled to no consideration because they are both connect-

ed with the Hongkong Goverment. Mr. Lou's connection with the

Goverment lies in the fact that he is an Unofficial tember of

the Legislative Council. I have never yet found that much a

position me regarded as a bar to free criticism of the Government or as hampering the independence of the member. Hr.

Leu has been nominated to the Council because he is considered

to represent the views and opinions of the Chinese community.

I have found no reason to believe that he does not do 80.

The reference to Dr. Pearce illustrates the stand-

ard of accuracy to which Lieutenant Commander Haslewood'a statements attain. The Medical Officer of Health is Jr. -. Penrge, who so far as I am aware has never expressed any viewe

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