CO129-516-7 The Mui-Tsai question- resolutions from individuals and Societies 5-5-1929 - 26-10-1929 — Page 99

DRAFT.

E. Caine.

Mr Gent./0

9/5.

Mellis

Mind/E

16

Government action in regard to the Mui Tsai system in Hong Kong.

102

The old Chinese custom of adopting girl

children for domestic service, known as Mui Tsai, was considered to be open to abuses which required Government intervention as far as the British Colony of Hong Kong was concerned. Mr Churchill, then

Secretary of State for the Colonies, in 1922 declared

the policy of the Government to be to effect the

abolition of the system, and he stated in the House of

Commons on the 21st of March 1922:-

"I desire to make it clear that both the

Governor and I are de termined 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".

In pursuance of this undertaking an Ordinance

was passed in Hong Kong on the 15th of February, 1923, containing a declaration correcting the erroneous view

that the payment of money for a child under the Chinese custom of Mui Tsai conveyed to the employer any proprietary right as against the child herself or

against her parent or guardian. The Ordinance, amongst other provisions, further prohibited the taking into employment of any fresh Mui Tsai after the Ordinance came into effect, made provision for the proper treatment of existing Mui Tsai who might choose to continue in the service of the ir employers, and ave

power