562
at the same time that "The elders of the Po Leung Kuk" (a Chinese Society for the protection of women and girls, which was responsible for the exposure of practically all the cases of cruelty,
the publication of which has formed the real strength of the abolition movement) "are much hurt in their minds at the monstrous
charges which have been made against them.
The Anti-Mul-Tsai Society, to which the memorandum refers, is of very recent formation, and certainly contains fewer prominent Chinese than the Mui Tsai Protection Society, which until the recent decision supported the system, and which was formed as a direct outcome of the offence given by the methods of the abolitionista.
5 Mr. Lau Chu Pak, who was a much respected member of the Chinese community, was no doubt consulted by the Governor, in common with many other prominent Chinese. Whether or not he kept concubines is neither here nor there. Concubines hold a recognized position in Chinese life, and
in Chinese eyes there is nothing in the least
discreditable in keeping them.
6
The Colonial Office would be interested
in hearing details of any effective attempt
in any part of China to put down the Mui-tsai system. It is true that articles have recently appeared in the Canton press attacking the system in Hong Kong; but these are dis- counted by the fact that they were admittedly inspired by the Government of Sun Yat Sen, which is hostile to the British in Hong Kong and would seize any opportunity to embarrass them.
DRAFT.
Mr.
Mr.
Mr.
MINUTE.
Mr. Davis.
Sir G. Grindle.
Sir H. Read
Sir J. Mamerton Smith.
Mr. Wood.
Mr. Churchill.
A
7
With regard to the letter to Commodore
Gurney, the Governor has reported that he
kept no copy of it, but that to the best of
his recollection it called attention to
the letters written by Mrs.Haslewood and
to her husband's encouragement of her,
enquired whether such conduct was in
accordance with Admiralty regulations, and
ended with a suggestion that the Commodore
should endeavour to prevent an officer
holding His Majesty's Commission from
countenancing offensive attacks on the Chinese
community.
the termination of Lient-
8 The circumstances attending Commander
Hong Kong appointenant
Haslewood's resignatilan can only be dealt
with by the Admiralty.
"am sending them a
dougt
they
copt of this correspondence, and no
will communicate with you direct.
4
On the general question, it appears
that the Governor, who could not be aware
beforehand of the view which would be formed
by the Secretary of State, and who was entitled
to his opinion as to the balance of advantages
in maintaining or abolishing the system of
Mui Tsai, was entirely justified in his
the methods of attitude towards Mrs.Haslewood's agitation,
such and that the epithets such as "cowardly",
"unmanly", and "un-English", with which the
memorandum is besprickled, are out of place.
It is surely beyond argument that a Governor
who at a critical and dangerous time finda
a servant of the Crown or a member of his
family stirring up a movement which is
intensely offensive to the native community
With
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