CO129-478 - Public Offices & Others - 1922 — Page 320

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"The "Centor Lines is owned,

and manages edited

We Chinese.

It is the

official

organ

Sun Yar Seno Fovernment,

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The Canton Times

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Published Daily Chung Mei Building. Second Bund West, Canton, China,

Tea Ceuta per Copy. $24.00 per Annum. Telephone No. 18!5. Telegraphic Add.:" Canton Times'

Saturday, October 15, 1921.

A Pernicious System.

The Mauifesto issued by the Anti- Muitoni Society in Hongkong hits the bail squarely on the head. The Muitrai Bystem should be abolished not only in Hongkong but through- out China. The cvils of the sp-t m are au admirably summarized in thi Manifesto that nothing need to be added by us in the way of comment. We want to let the Hougkong Society know the Canton Times abares the views of the Society and will urge the public-spirited men and women of Canton to form a similar organization in Canton.

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Those who advocate the con- Liuuance of the Muiteai system

nake out

ies that try main purpose is philanthropic. Åre they really sincere? Is it not becaus they can get service without paying regular wages for it that they buy a Muits? Is it not an immoral and unrighteous

the exploitation of children of the poor? Ask any of these persons who speak in defense of the Muitusi synter whether be would be willing to have his daughter sold into another family as a Muitasi. This is the acid test that proves the laplacerity of their profession.

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bave purchased a Muitazi. Whenever we have remonstrated against it, the argument has been put forward! that it is hard to secure and keep good servants. In every instance, the prevailing thought was entirely selfish. The rights of the Muitsai,

physical and intellectual welfare never considered. They hay and pali s muitsai like they would soy chattel, with an eye single to the benefit they may derive from the transaction. Not dictates of Aumanity but only questions of utility cater into the bargain.

Roma

Granted that there are some kind masters and (what is more rare) human mistresses, does that, io Buy way alter the status of the Muites? Is she any leas a slave because her master and mistress treat her decently? When

human being can be bought and soll, deprived of her liberty for teru of years, made to submit entire- ly to the will of others, and abitrarily abused and punished without any redress, no matter what fancy name you may give to such a condition it is, nevertheless, slavery.

We eball not couch upon the sordid elements that enter into many a Muitsai transaction. The wret- chedness and misery of those phor girla whe are BO unfortunately sold into houses of prostitution beggara discription. Auy real mad who knows half the facts would be ashamed to raiso le voice in defense of a system which violates the laws of morality and humanity.

People tell us Rome was not baile in a day, and a custom which ime: been in vogue from time immemorial cannot be eradicated or abolished summarily without disturbing the whole fabric of apciety. Gradua reforms, governmental control over the ayetem, and public insistence that abuses should not go unpunished way

satisfy some; but to us the whole system is damnable. As system of exploitation of precious buman lives it should not be tolerated in any country that claims to be civilized,

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