CO129-473 - Individuals - 1921 — Page 398

3.

It would appear that no action can be

taken against those who acquire mui-tsai

without the consent of their parents,

except where criminal charges e.g. cruelty

or kidnapping can be brought against them: and though I can appreciate the fact that men who defy the formalities of the custom would as a rule not be deterred by the laws

of the Colony, I am desirous of information as to the frequency of cases of this kind.

I have, etc.,

DRAFT.

Miss R.A.F. Pigott.

(gged) WINSTON 8. CHURCHILL

P/48047/H.K.

393

na.

Downing Street,

12 October, 1921.

MINUTE.

Mr. Gent 6.10

Mr. Beckett a

Collins (away)

Mr.

+ Mr. Grindle 10 fs.

Sir H. Lambert.

Sir A. Read.

Sandy Paddas.

Mr. Wood,

Mr. Churchill.

2 dfta.

for conson.

Madam,

I am directed by Mr. Secretary Churchill to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 24th of September regarding the mui-taai system in Hong Kong.

2. As regards your statement that

these children are liable to be re-sold

at any time I am to observe that under

the system a mui-teai cannot be re-transfers ed except with the consent of her parents

and the force of custom and tradition which

has more influence on Chinese communities

than perhaps any other peoples in the world ensures the observance of this rule amongst the vast majority of those who have mui- tsai in their households. There may of

course be cases in which this rule is

disregarded in Hong Kong and lir, Churchill

is in correspondence with the Governor on the question of devising further safe-guards

if