CO129-478 - Public Offices & Others - 1922 — Page 265

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It is contended that only a small proportion of the Mui

Tsai fall into unsuitable hands, but this does not seem to ha

borne out by the number of cases of ill-treatment which come

before the Magistrated Courte of the Colony, from the published reports of which it would see that these are not

generally brought to light by the Po Leung Kuk or by the Government, but rather by information given by neighbours of

the accused. At the ass Noeting of Chinese already referred

to, Dr. Yeung declared that cases of harsh treatment were often met with, even amongst upper and middle-class Chinese, and that the cases brought before the magistrates were only a small

The existence of 111- proportion of those which occur. treatment is also horne out by the Resolution passed at the Heating, to establish a Cociety for the prevention of cruelty

to the 'ul Trai.

Our Committee is surprised to find that the secretary for Chinese Affaire in his Minute denies the comection betweer.

This is contrary to the adoption syster and prostitution. information which we have received from persone resident in Hong Kong who are familiar with social conditions in the Colony, that a large proportion of girls in the brothols are "adopted" girls, and have in many cases been sold by their

In their speechos at the adopters to the brothel keepers.

Chinese Nase Meeting both "r. Lau Chu Pak and Dr. Young Shiu- cheun declared that those who practised teo chu få, or direct sale of girls for prostitution, always professed that they were adopted daughters, a Dr. Yeung urged the abolition of

"the greatest the 'ui Tsai system on the ground that it was

feeder of the brothels".

It is maintained by the Secretary for Chinese Affairs

that cases of transfer of 'ui Teal without the parents' coneent are uncommon and contrary to Chinese custom, and that