CO129-514-2 Mui Tsai system- suggested regulations and possible abolition 9-1-1929 - 16-5-1929 — Page 11

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them a copy, and I think we can wait until they ask

for it. Similarly in reply to the questions in Parliament (see the Parliamentary question file), the S. of S. did not promise to present the report to Parliament when it arrived, only saying that he

proposed to defer any statement on points of detail

until the report was received. It seems to be up

to the Members of Parliament concerned to raise

these points again if they still want the

information.

But although we may prefer not to start the ball rolling again ourselves, it is clear we shall not be left long in peace. We have now received inquiries from

(a) a Mr. Armstrong who wants to write about muitsai for the "Children's Newspaper" (20), and

(b) a Mr. Staples who is much disturbed by a

highly sensational article in "John Buli" (21).

These two enquiries do not demand very

exhaustive answers. But they emphasise the necessity for being prepared with a reply to more serious enquiries. The policy to be pursued is a matter for the Secretary of State to decide, but I would suggest that the general line to be taken

might be:-

1. The Hong Kong Government has not, in fact, received any demand from the local community for

any further action on its part.

2. The legal freedom of all "mutsai" has been

declared and the Govt. will enforce the law when

cases of interference with personal freedom are

brought to its notice.

3.

Muit sai in existence when the 1923 Act

was passed were and are allowed to remain in the

service