CO129-514-2 Mui Tsai system- suggested regulations and possible abolition 9-1-1929 - 16-5-1929 — Page 73

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interests of humanity. But China is a vast country with a dense population, and the idea cannot be altogeth er excellent. Piracy and unemployment prevail in all outlying districts. Industry and trade have not yet been developed, and no institutions have been establish- ed for the accommodation of the unemployed. The cost of

living in Kwangtung is particularly high, and poor families of several persons generally cannot earn enough

for their support. People, who have several daughters,

will sell some of them to others as mui-tsai in the hope

that they can secure means of livelihood with the sum

of about $100, which is acquired from the sale, and save

their families from starvation. If mui-tsai are

suddenly abolished, unless loans can be raised, such

people will not be able to do anything but fold up their

arms and wait for death. The so-called prohibition in

previous years of girls binding up their breasts and

the suppression this year of Chinese medical practition-

ers and astrologers were all attempted without due

regard to circumstances and the fact that it would le ad to unemployment, and I am afraid that such measures will only turn out unsuccessful. If the mui-tsai question is to be solved for the sake of humanity, it will suffice if the rich families are prohibited from maltreating

them. Poor girls, who have been sold to be mui-tsai, generally refuse to go back to their parents, even when forced to do so by their masters. They prefer to

remain mui-tsai, for they are free from cold and hunger and can have better food, lodging and clothing. Each year very few cases have occurred in which mui-tsai want to go back to their families."

8.

I have also received a report from the

Honourable