CO129-478 - Public Offices & Others - 1922 — Page 772

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The idea of bringing any law into force on the 1st

of January is impossible. To wait for my return will only delay things further as no law would be passed until December.

I suggest that you tell Severn to pass the law at once with a clause providing that it is to be brought into operation by proclamation. The reasoned objections of the Chinese community can then be forwarded to the Secretary of

State with it. If he says that it must be put into force, we must then appoint a commission to create the necessary machinery,

In view of the attitude of the Chinese, I would

urge that we should confine ourselves to stopping the re-

cruiting of further mui-tsai and so let the system die out

gradually. Prohibit the adoption of girls as mui-tsei in future or the engagement of servants without wages (other-

wise they will simply carry on the old system with a change of name): prohibit the transfer of mui-tsai to other em-

ployers, except on the death of the original employer: make

it clear that any girl can return to her parents if she .wishes and that any girl over 18 can leave her employer and

fend for herself: (they will probably become prostitutes in

many cases but I dont see how that can be avoided, we can't

keep girls of that age under Government tutelage.)

If we take this line, we may get rid of much of the

opposition, as the system is gradually beginning to die out

of its own accord. (A prominent Chinese told me last year

that he would engage no more mui-tsai as they were too trouble-

s on e nowadays). If we try to force a drastic reform against

the wishes of the vast majority of the Chinese, we shall

unite