CO129-514-2 Mui Tsai system- suggested regulations and possible abolition 9-1-1929 - 16-5-1929 — Page 91

Enclosure No.3.

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earn enough for their support.

People who have

several daughters, will sell some of them to others as Muitsai in the hope that they can secure means of livelihood with the sum of about $100 which is

acquired through the sale, and save their families

from starvation. If uitsai 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 from binding up their breasts and the

suppression this year of Chinese medical practitioners

and astrologers were all attempted without due regard to circumstances and the fact that it would lead to

unemployment, and I am afraid that such measures will

only turn out unsuccessful. If the Muitsai 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 Fuitsai, generally refuse to go back to their parents even when forced to

do so by their masters. They prefer to remain uitsai

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 Muitsai want to go

back to their families.

6) Question Have any cases occurred in the Province of

maltreatment of uitsai and have any persons been sentenced under these regulations?

Answer You can find an answer in the foregoing.