41
rightly, will eventually involve some system of inspection is most re- pugnant to them. The enforcement of such a measure would therefore be most unpopular
7. It may, of course, prove to be essential to insist on registration in order to secure the observance of the law. In that case the consequences must be faced but at present the spirit in which the decision to abolish the system has been received leads me to hope that it will not be necessary. I ask at least that the introduction may be deferred till it is shown to be unavoidable. If the Secretary for Chinese Affairs lets it be known that the introduction of a system of registration depends largely upon the spirit in which the law is observed I have little doubt that the Chinese community will co-operate to make it work successfully. Attempts to evade it by employing new mui-tsai will be discouraged by public opinion, information will be given to the Secretary for Chinese Affairs and one or two successful prosecutions will probably settle the question for good and all.
8. As stated in my despatch, no mui-tsai have yet expressed the wish to leave their employers and no employers have yet turned their mui-tsai adrift. At present therefore it looks as if it will not be necessary to take any special steps to provide for girls who have ceased to be employed and that we shall in the future as in the past only have to deal with girls who have been taken from the custody of their employers owing to ill treatment. For such cases the exist- ing methods and machinery will suffice.
If, however, a system of registration is enforced it is quite possible that employers will deliberately dispense with the services of a large number of girls in order to embarrass the Government and it would probably be desirable to meet such a move by requiring the employers to provide for the maintenance of such girls until they reach a stated age or can be provided for otherwise. Obviously, however, it would be undesirable to impose this liability until it is proved to be necessary.
9. The question of the payment of wages which is dealt with in the same part of the Ordinance should also, I now think, be left in abeyance. Now that the girls know that they are at liberty to leave their employers they can if they wish make their own terms for remaining and demand the payment of wages as a condition of doing so. Probably, however, the acceptance of wages would be regarded as reducing them to the status of a paid servant, which they would consider lower than that which they hold at present, and as relieving the employer of the necessity of providing for their marriage so that it is to be anticipated that in the great majority of cases they will prefer to stay where they are on their present footing.
10. The remaining clause of Part III deals with the power of making regulations. Apart from the questions of registration and
45
wages I do not think that any regulations are needed at the present moment since the parts of the Ordinance which are now in operation seem to afford ample protection to the mui-tsai. I suggest therefore that the best course will be to defer bringing Part III of the Ordinance into operation unless and until it is shown to be necessary to do so.
I have, etc.,
R. E. STUBBS,
Governor, etc.
No. 15.
Despatch from the Secretary of State for the Colonies to the Governor of Hong Kong.
SIR,
Downing Street,
2nd May, 1923.
I have the honour to acknowledge the receipt of your despatches of the 24th of January* and the 6th of March,† regarding the Ordinance which has been passed to effect the abolition of the mui-tsai system in Hong Kong, and to refer to my despatch of even date, informing you that His Majesty will not be advised to disallow the measure.
2. I desire to express my satisfaction at the passing of the Ordin- ance with the consent of the representatives of the Chinese Com- munity and my appreciation of their attitude in the matter. I also wish to associate myself with your repudiation of the exaggerated and ill-founded assertions that have been made in the course of the controversy. I would add that I rely on the cordial co-operation of the Chinese community in carrying into effect the abolition of the mui-tsai system.
3. I concur in your suggestion that the questions of registration and of payment of wages may be left in abeyance for the present and that Part III of the Ordinance should not be brought into operation unless and until it is shown to be necessary.
I also agree
that, until occasion arises, no special measures need be taken to provide accommodation for the mui-tsai who may desire to leave their employers.
No. 16.
I have, etc.,
DEVONSHIRE.
Telegram from the Secretary of State for the Colonies to the Governor of Hong Kong.
(Sent 17th January, 1929.)
(Answered by Nos. 17 and 18.)
Your despatch 30th May 1924. Letter from Harris of Anti- Slavery and Aborigines Protection Society published in Manchester Guardian summarises report of meeting of Anti-Mui-Tsai Society
* Not printed.
† No. 14. H_Not printed. & Not printed
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