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THE HONG KONG WEEKLY PRESS
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CHILDREN OR ANIMALS FIRST?
A PLEA FOR THE MUI-TSAI.
REVIEW OF LAST YEAR'S WORK FOR ACHIEVING
REFORMS.
Reference was made on Saturday, at the annual meeting of the Anti-Mui-Tsai Society, to the fact that the S.P.C.A. in much more active in the Colony than a similar organisation for the protection of children. Below will be found speeches reviewing the work dong during the past year in connection with the mui-tsai problem.
CHAIRMAN'S SPEECH.
In addressing the gathering the Chairman, Mr. S. C. Yeung, said:-
Secretary Mr. C. G. Anderson, who, served us in this capacity for seven years. His resignation on the the eve of the Government giving sanc- tion to the registration of mui tsai is greatly to be regretted, but his work will always be held in grate- ful remembrance.
ward with confidence towards t restoration of freedom to the fo thousand registered mui tsai, put them to an equal footing wi their sisters and to make this fo most free-port in the Far East als a port of freedom for mui tsai.
CHINESE SECRETARY'S
SPEECH.
The following is the speech Chinese Secretary, Mr. Tin:-
"Ladies and Gentlemen: Before proceeding with the election of officials for the coming year and Ex-Secretary's Continued Interest. presenting to you the general re-
"Another loss to us is the resigna- port of the past year, it gives me the greatest pleasure to witness the tion from the Chinese Secretary- big gathering of members and sup-ship of Mr. Ngan Kwan Yu, who porters to-day. Your interest and co-operated so closely in those seven enthusiasm are encouraging to my The former Chinese Secretary is
long years
with Mr. Anderson. fellow-workers and to me. Thanks
Once again we are g to all co-workers I have been able known for his sound judgement and
to tell you of the accout to continue with this uphill fight great enthusiasm. His keenness to during the year just pus serve this Society is amply demon-pleasing to be able to say for the sake of humanity, acting as
strated by his recent consent to succeeded in having regi compile a book recording the past enforced, which no doubt i activities of this Society. We all improve the lot of the mui agree that this is a happy choice the Colony to a considerable to have in Mr. Ngan a willing worker and a scholarly man for such a book.
Chairman of this Society for all these years. Despite my inefficiency the keen interest taken by the many
supporters of this Society towards the welfare of the mui tsai in Hong Kong have made possible the re- gistration of these girls, the bene- ficial results of which affords great satisfaction to all lovers of humanity.
Foreign Supporters.
"The unwearving sunport to- wards this Society coming from Lieut. Commander and Mrs. H. L. Tribute to Mr. J. D. Bush.
Haslewood, the Anti-Slavery and "I would like to take this oppor- Aborigines Protection Society, the tunity of mentioning the valued Young Women's Christian Associa- assistance which I have secured from tion of Great Britain. Lady Simon, our English Secretary, Mr. J. D. and members of the House of Com- Bush, whose constant advice and
mons is largely responsible for untiring effort to do social service bringing the unbelievable cruelty have been to me a lasting memory of the mui tsai system to the atten- and great help. I think all mem-tion of the British Government at hbers to-day agree with me that with- Home, which resulted in the latter's out the unremitting efforts of Mr. final order for its abolition. Bush the accomplishment of regis- tration for mui tsai in Hong Kong would not have been possible.
"I would like to thank the Christian Church Union, and the various educational institutions and individuals for their financial as- Chinese Secretary's Activity,
sistance and the circulation of Our Chinese Secretary, Mr.leaflets and literature on our cam- Wong She Tin, has shown deep naign against the mui tsai system. interest in this work to serve the All these efforts are directly resnon- less fortunate section of the com-sible for the bringing the odious munity, and despite his short con- nection with this Society he is
A
able to-day to present the records of the past year in remarkable manner. On a happy occasion like this I cannot but re- call some of the past achievements of this Society, which was first in- augurated under the able direction of Mr. J. M. Wong on August 8,
1921.
The foresight of Mr. Wong is, therefore, to a large extent responsible for the subsequent achievement of this Society.
Mr. Anderson's Long Record. "In those days of pioneering difficulties and undisguised opposi- tion of our aims the Society was lortunate in having as its English
system to the notice of the British Government, resulting in the Colonial Secretary and the Hong Kong Government signifving their approval of the suggested registra- tion of all mui tsai in the British Colony.
Freedom For Individuals As Well
As Trade.
Registration will undoubtedly re- sult in the abolition of the mui tsai system and realisation of the great aim of this Society. Despite this success we hone that all enthusiastic supporters of this great cause will continue their unselfish work to diss minate helpful information and remove misunderstanding among our people. We look for
!
number of mui-tsai cases deal The following constitutes th through this Society since Oc 1929: -
Complaints made to this Society by mui-tsai per. sonally
Complaints made by cor-
respondence
These cases were follows:-
disposed
12
Mui-tsai set free by their
owners during the regis tration period Mui-tsai liberated by order of the Court 20 out of this number, girls have been restored to their relatives 14 and the remainder, not hav- ing any relatives, were en- trusted to the custody of the Po Leang Kook Cases favourably decided by Court, but mui-tsai still in temporary custody of their owners Mui-tsai retuared to her re- latives after registration Owners fined or imprisoned for ill-treatment after re- gistration
Owner fined by Court for cruelty, before registra- tion
Cases reported to the S.C.A. and discharged because of insufficient evidence Clases, action being taken Cases, still being investigat-
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