CO129-514-2 Mui Tsai system- suggested regulations and possible abolition 9-1-1929 - 16-5-1929 — Page 19

published will require consideration when the time

comes.

19

The despatch and enclosure give rise to several questions which would require detailed answers before any definite decision as to policy could be taken. For instance, how far is any system

of registration possible; what in full are the objections to registration; what in view of the ordinance is the legal position of all these imported

mui-tsai who are being brought in from Canton; how

far is it possible to prevent new mui-tsai being acquired in Canton and brought into British territory;

if it is impossible, how is the institution to be

brought to an end, as at present proposed, by efflux

of time. No doubt on examination other points will

occur to the Department which it is desirable to have made clear before publication takes place and the Secretary of State is pressed by agitators to take some violent and hasty action that would do more harm

than good.

The Governor should be asked by telegraph to report in writing on all the points that want

clearing up.

At the same time a private and personal

telegram should be sent to Sir C. Clementi on the lines that Mr. Amery has read his despatch carefully. appreciates his point of view and sees the importance

of the considerations he urges. But neither

Mr. Amery nor any other Secretary of tate could defend in Parliament the institution of mii-tsai.

Abolition of the institution is and has been for

years the settled and declared policy both of His Majesty's Government and of the Colonial Covernment, and there can be no question of going back on it. Mr. Amery would be very reluctant to publish the

despatch