CO129-532-4 Mui Tsai system- resolution and correspondence with private individuals 27-10-1930 - 24-6-1931 — Page 85

83

This is the case 13/in

77759

67838,34

Child and Girl slavery, (the Mui Tsai system) continues in the British Crown Colony of Hong Kong.

Four thousand mui tsai, who are in fact slaves, are reg- istered. The orders given by the British Government on August 22nd, 1929, that machinery should be set going forth- with to ensure, with respect to the existing mui tsai, their inspection, control, remuneration, and when desired, their release, have not been carried out by the Hong Kong Government.

In the White Paper, CMD. 3735, December, 1930, the Governor of Hong Kong said: "I do not consider that any further measures are at present required to promote the policy expressed in the existing law.

22

Thus our pledge to these slave girls and children remains unhonoured, and our accusations of slavery against other nations, while concealing and condoning our own guilt in the matter, become mere hypocrisy. When we have abolished slavery in our own colonies, we shall have clean hands to extend in help towards the total abolition of slavery through- out, the world.

In order to understand the position, the following quota- tion is made from a deed of sale in Hong Kong, the original of which is in our possession. It is typical of the thousands and thousands of similar transactions which have taken place beneath our flag since Hong Kong was first ceded to us as a barren rock in 1841.

On the 4th November, 1929, Poon Fook Din, a girl child nine years of age, was sold to a Chinese woman residing at 5, Hill Road, Hong Kong, for the "purchase price" of 110 dollars. The deed contains the following provision:-

"Should there be any mystery as to the origin of the girl, or she may desert home with her mother, the intermediary is held responsible to search for the girl and restore her to the owner without fail. To avoid unreliability of a verbal promise this deed is made as proof."

Fi

Here is the translation of another deed of sale, curtailed for lack of space. A child, aged 11, was introduced by a go-between to a purchaser who agreed to take her. Due stipulation and agreement were made betwen all parties and a price of 240 dollars was offered-The deed was made and the transaction completed on this day (17th day of the 1st moon), 1929. The price was fully paid to me (the mother)-- The girl was handed over to the purchaser on the very day to take home, who shall have the right to change her name and make her wait upon them." The deed continues, "When

she grows up. the purchaser shall also have the right to get her married either as a wife or a concubine, and no inter- ference shall be allowed. After the girl is sold, no retraction or redemption shall be allowed. This is an open sale and purchase, and is not a case of kidnapping.

In case of any mystery as to the origin of the girl, the seller of the girl shall settle it with the go-between, and the purchaser shall not be responsible. After the girl is sold, each party shall acquiesce in heaven's decree in case of any mis- fortune. To avoid the unreliability of a verbal promise this deed is made as proof."

Here is further news from the British colony of Hong Kong. During the year 1929, 1,851 dead bodies of children were found by the police in the streets and elsewhere in the colony of Hong Kong." Letter from Secretary of State for the Colonies, February 18th, 1931.

In the years 1925-1929, inclusive, 6,708 dead bodies of child- ren were picked up in the streets and elsewhere in the colony of Hong Kong. Report of British Inspector General of Police in Hong Kong for 1929.

In view of the above facts, it is most disquieting to note the negative attitude towards this question shown by the Church of England and its associated societies, with a few rare exceptions.

No bishop, for example, has ever raised the question in the House of Lords. And surely the time has come when every- one is entitled to ask those Religious Societies which are rep- resented in Hong Kong for a clear statement of their attitude, and whether any definite action is being taken by them to- wards effecting the abolition of this slavery, and the reasons for their omission to make any continued protest in the matter as is being done so consistently by other organisations.

H. L. HASLEWOOD (Lt.-Comdr.)

C. B. L. HASLEWOOD (Mrs.)

5, Sydney Buildings,

Bath.

(6

March, 1931.

Note Full details of the Mui Tsai system are contained in our book 'Child Slavery in Hong Kong," published by The Sheldon Press (Price, 2/6).

84