CO129-522-3 Social hygiene- including trafficking in women & children- brothels- etc. 27-2-1930 - 13-4-1931 — Page 51

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rescue work done since registration was abolished

as in the preceding years.

I admit that the fact that certain laws are

or are not in force in the United Kingdom is not in

itself a sufficient reason for applying or abolishing

similar laws in tropical Colonies, differing from the

Mother Country in climate, race, social, moral, and

religious conditions. Further, I am not prepared to deny that one way of meeting the evils to which my

attention has been called would be the renewal of the

repealed Ordinances, if their renewal met with general acquiescence; but here, again, I must repeat that

respect must be had to existing facts. It is certain

that to such renewal there would be in this country a

It is in the highest degree

very strong opposition.

probable that on the first opportunity the Ordinances would be again repealed.

It is therefore my

conviction that the object aimed at would be not

furthered, but retarded, by simply for the moment

retracing a step.

Accordingly, I adhere to the decision, given

in my despatch of the 18th February, 1898, that I

cannot sanction the reintroduction of any system

involving either the compulsory and periodical

examination of women, or the registration of brothels

or of prostitutes, but I consider that other means may

be adopted which there is reason to hope ill prove

in some measure effectual."

14.