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produced in support of the allegation recklessly made
that the mui tsai system is a recognised means of
obtaining girls for immoral purpose*.
Another question mixed up with the mui tsai
question is the occasional ill treatment of children by
their parents and the fact that there is no legal
protection at present for child labour.. In the first
category the only remedy is prosecution in the Courts
and we are always ready to enquire into specific orses
where the Government has been neglectful in grosecuting
or the Courts in meting out justice. As to child labour,
again the matter is of peculiar difficuity in China, where
parents often have nowhere to leave their chilwen when
they go to work, and where even the earnings of the
smallest sums by child labour is of importance to families
on the brink of destitution. The Government has now
decided to endeavour to cope with the matter and has
appointed a Committee to advise as to what legislation
is possible. It need scarcely be said that the Colonial
Office will welcome warmly any reform in the conditions
of child labour that can be achieved.
No comments yet.
Private notes are available after approval.