CO129-475 - Governor Sir Stubbs & Acting Governor Claud Severn - 1922 [5-7] — Page 390

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Secretary for Chinese Affairs in consultation with members

of the Chinese Community.

7.

I advise that legislation should be introduced

on the following lines:-

(a.) A declaratory clause should set out the fact that

the payment of money to the parent or guardian of

a mui-tsai confers no right of property upon the

payer.

(b.) Employers of mui-teais must register them at the

office of the Secretary for Chiness Affairs the

fullest possible particulars being given in each

case.

(c.) Mui-tsais who have reached the age of 18 are at

liberty to leave their employment at once. Those below that age must be restored to their

parents at once, either on their own demand or on that of their parents, without any payment. Hui-tsais between the ages of 12 and 18 whose parents or guardians cannot be found and who wish to leave their employment must be allowed to apply to the Secretary for Chinese Affairs to find them other employment. It will be necessary to provide that they must take up such employment as the Secretary for Chinese Affairs considers suitable

for them.

Girls below the age of 12, whose parents cannot be found, should be required to stay with their present employers except in cases of cruelty when they should be sent to the Po Leung Kok until some suitable arrangement can be made for them.

(d.) Mui-tsais who remain with their present employers

must be placed on the footing of paid servants, receiving wages at a rate for which a minimum will have to be fired.

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