CO129-514-2 Mui Tsai system- suggested regulations and possible abolition 9-1-1929 - 16-5-1929 — Page 105

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The grounds on which the present agitation

are being based are:-

(1) Mr. Churchill's pledge to effect the abolition of the system at the earliest practicable date - within a year

is not being fulfilled.

-

(2) The Ordinance has not been enforced.

(3) The number of Mui Tsai actually shows

a little increase.

(4) Cruel treatment of Mui Tsai has increased.

(5) That the Mui Tsai system is a system of slavery and falls quite easily within the definition of a slave under the Slavery Convention which Great Britain, amongst others, has signed.

The reforms suggested by the Anti-Mui Tsai

Society in Hong Kong are, the introduction of

registration of all Mui Tsai, the fixation of minimum wage rates for all Mui Tsai, the surrender to, and cancellation by, the Secretary for Chinese Affairs of deeds of sale or deeds of gift, and the issue by him of a Certificate to the employer as evidence of the right to employ the girl as a

Mui Tsai.

follows:

The answer to the above criticisms are as

Slavery Convention.

The Slavery is defined in the Convention

as "The status or condition of a person over whan any or all of the powers attaching to the right of

ownership are exercised."

Any