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The aim of both Societies and of the Government is the same, namely aboli-
tion, but both agree that the process must be gradual..
Meanwhile they deprecate issue of proclamation which they consider would be dangerous, especially as exposing large numbers of girls to the wiles of procuresses.
It would be very desirable to have some scheme to provide for their future
before they are encouraged to leave their employers.
STUBBS.
No. 3.
TELEGRAM FROM SECRETARY OF STATE TO GOVERNOR.
21st March, 1922.
the girls are encouraged to leave their employers it would be very desir- able to have some scheme to provide for their future. It is indeed obvious in view of the numbers involved that it would be beyond the power either of charitable institutions or of the Government to deal adequately with the situation should any large proportion desire to leave their present homes immediately. I have therefore instructed the Gover- nor that mui-tsai should be warned in the proclamation that until accom- modation can be provided for them elsewhere they should not leave the shelter of their present homes except in case of ill-treatment and after reference to the Chinese Secretariat and I have also said that they should be specially warned against the other danger referred to by the Gover- nor. Although it is obvious that any old established custom cannot be altered at a moment's notice I desire to make it clear that both the Governor and I are determined to effect the abolition of the system at the earliest practicable date and I have indicated to the Governor that I expect the change to be carried out within a year."
CHURCHILL.
Your telegram of March 16th.
I am glad to know that you are co-operating with the societies in scheme for the abolition of system. Though recognizing that it must take a little time, I am determined to expedite it as much as possible. I expect the change to be carried out in a year.
You should issue the proclamation as directed in my telegram of February 22nd without delay, but in view of the dangers to which you call attention, which are appre- ciated by me, you should warn girls in it that until they get accommodation provided for them elsewhere they should not leave the shelter of their present homes, except in case of ill-treatment, and after Chinese Secretary has been referred to. You should warn them especially against risk to which you refer in your telegram. You should consult with charitable and other societies concerned in regard to elaborating scheme for their future.
No. 4.
TELEGRAM FROM SECRETARY OF STATE TO GOVERNOR.
CHURCHILL.
21st March, 1922.
Following is text of statement which I have made in House of Commons March 21st as to mui-tsai :--
"The House will recollect that I asked Honourable Members to postpone their
questions in this subject in order that I might communicate with the Government of Hong Kong The recent occurrences in the Colony have unfortunately prevented either the Governor or myself from dealing with this matter as expeditiously as I had hoped but I have now received a telegram from the Governor stating that his Government in consultation with the societies for the protection and for the abolition of mui-tsai will draw up a scheme for the abolition of the system as soon as possible. Both the Government and the societies point out that this process must take some little time. I have directed the issue without further delay of a proclamation making it clear to employers and employed that the status of mui-tsai as understood in China will not in future be recognized in Hong Kong and in particular that no compulsion of any kind to prevent girls over the age of 12 leaving their adopted parents at any time will be allowed. It has been pointed out to me by the Government and the socie- ties that the issue of this proclamation will involve some risks of expos- ing a number of girls to the wiles of unscrupulous persons and that before
No. 5.
TELEGRAM FROM GOVERNOR TO SECRETARY OF STATE,
28th March, 1922.
Referring to your telegram of 21st March.
Society for the Abolition and Society for the Protection are having joint confer- ence shortly with a view to settling what steps are best to take to secure abolition as soon as possible. I venture to suggest that issue of proclamation should be deferred until they report but if you consider that in view of your statement in the House issue is necessary at once, I would suggest the following:-
Begins: "The following proclamation is issued by the Governor under instructions from
His Majesty's Government.
Slavery is not allowed to exist in the British Empire, and therefore it must be understood that mui-tsai are not the property of their employers.
Those of them who wish to leave their employers and who have reached years of discretion must be allowed to apply to the Secretary for Chinese Affairs who will consider their cases.
Girls are warned that they must not leave their present homes until they have some employment to go to, for fear that they should fall into the hands of procuresses.
Masters and mistresses are specially warned against any attempt to pre- vent mui-tsai from seeing the Secretary for Chinese Affairs". Ends.
I am sure you will understand that I have every desire to carry out your instruc- tions wholeheartedly but I feel compelled to say that the issue of such a proclamation before arrangements are made for the future is likely to do great harm. Girls will cer- tainly leave their employers in spite of any warning and the majority will fall into bad hands.
I have suggested use of the phrase "years of Discretion" instead of twelve years because Chinese girls of twelve are mere children wholly incapable of thinking for them- selves.
Both of the Societies and enthusiastic missionary advocates of abolition say that the idea of abolition within one year is unthinkable.
STUBBS.
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