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Meanwhile they consider that the issue of a proclamation would be dangerous, especially as exposing a large number of girls to the wiles of procuresses; and they deprecate it. Before the girls are encour- aged to leave their employers it would be very desirable to have some scheme to provide their future. STUBBS.
No.
Telegram from the Secretary of State for the Colonies to the Governor of Hong Kong.
(Sent 21st March, 1922.)
(Answered by No. .)
Your telegram of 16th March.* I am glad to learn that you are co-operating with the Societies in a Scheme for the abolition of the system. I recognise that this must take a little time but I am deter- mined to expedite it as much as possible, and I expect the change to be carried out within a year. You should issue without delay a Proclamation as directed in my telegram of 22nd February.† But in view of the dangers to which you call attention, and which I appreciate, there should be a warning to the girls in the proclamation that except in case of ill-treatment and after reference to the Chinese Secretariat they should not leave the shelter of their present homes until accommodation can be provided for them elsewhere. They should be specially warned against the risk referred to in your telegram. The scheme providing for their future should be elaborated in consultation with the charitable and other societies interested in this matter. CHURCHILL.
* No.
† No.
No.
Telegram from the Secretary of State for the Colonies to the Governor of Hong Kong.
(Sent 21st March, 1922.)
Following is text of statement which I have made in House of Commons 21st March as to Mui-tsai, begins :----
The House will recollect that I asked honourable members to postpone their questions on this subject in order that I might communicate with the Governor of Hong Kong. The recent occurrences in the Colony have unfortunately prevented either the Governor or myself from dealing with this matter as expedi- tiously 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 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 recognised in Hong Kong and in particular that no compulsion of any kind to prevent girls over the age of twelve leaving their adopted parents at any time will be allowed. It has been pointed out to me by the Government and the Societies that the issue of this proclamation will involve some risks of exposing a number of girls to the wiles of unscrupulous persons, and that before the girls are encouraged to leave their employers it would be very desirable to have some scheme to provide for their future. It is indeed obvious in view of the numbers involved that it will be beyond the power either of charitable institutions or of the Government to deal ad- equately with the situation should any large proportion desire to leave their present homes immediately. I have therefore instructed the Governor that mui-tsai should be warned in the proclamation that until accommodation 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 Governor. Although it is obvious
* No.
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