CO129-532-3 Mui Tsai system 4-12-1930 - 9-11-1931 — Page 23

No.406.

་ཊ་་་༠

Aved (7)

16

23

GOVERNMENT HOUSE,

HONG KONG, 24th September, 1931.

Sir,

I have the honour to acknowledge the receipt of Lord Passfield's despatch No. 162 of the 11th of June, 1931, on the subject of the wages of mui-tsai.

2.

I am prepared to admit that at first sight the present prescribed minimum rates appear to be low, but it must be remembered that the actual wages form only a part of the total remuneration of a mui-tsai, who receives in addition food, lodging, clothing and medical attendance. 3. I discussed the matter with the District Watch Committee, who pointed out that the rates of pay at present obtaining were, when fixed, considered to be proportionately equivalent to those of domestic servants who, not being mui-tsai, do not receive full maintenance in addition to their wages.

The wages of such servants are indeed very little higher than those of a mui-tsai, and any material increase in the prescribed rates for the latter would almost certainly lead to a demand for higher rates by domestic servants, and would doubtless have repercussions on wages in general. The Committee were generally of opinion that the rates prescribed for mui-tsai are still adequate. They stated, however, that they would be prepared, should you

consider

THE RIGHT HONOURABLE

J. H. THOMAS, M.P.,

&c.,

&c.,

&c.