CO129-533-10 Position of prostitution in Hong Kong 16-1-1931 - 19-9-1931 — Page 54

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Chinese

Russian

(c)

American

French

1925

1926

1927

1928

1929

6

9

14

25

2

1

1

2

Particulars of these cases have already been given in the annual reports to the League of Nations.

9. Please mention any cases during the last five years in which it is known or suspected that international traffic in women or children has been promoted by employment agencies located in your country or elsewhere.

Ans. No such cases are known.

10. To what extent is the traffic in question influenced by districts set aside for prostitution, licensed houses, profits made in the business, alcohol, drugs, obscene publications of indecent performances?

Ans. Both Hong Kong and Kowloon contain districts,in which the existence of brothels is tolerated. It is possible that here as elsewhere the existence of de- finite areas where prostitution is permitted does make it easier for traffickers to find a market for their wares.

It seems to be true that the independent prostitute though not rare is less common than the girl who is under the control of a 'mistress' or brothel keeper, or, more seldom, of a man. It may therefore not unfairly be inferred that there are profits to be made in the business.

Alcohol is sold in the brothels kept by Europeans, and it is alleged that the keepers of these brothels derive their profit almost entirely from this source. Other- wise there seems to be no obvious association between the traffic and the matters re- ferred to.

11. Please report on the measures taken during each of the last five years to protect women and children travelling to or from or through your country as migrants.

Ans. Asiatic women and children proceeding from Hong Kong to certain ports as deck passengers are examined before departure at the Secretariat for Chin- ese Affairs, and precautions are taken, as far as possible, to see that this examination is not evaded. These precautions are taken under the provisions of the Emigration Ordinance No. 30 of 1915.

and

12. Are women and children travelling from your country required to have passports, are foreign women and children coming to your country required to have visas?

Ans. The regulations regarding passports made under Ordinance 35 of 1923 are still in force but in practice at the present time there is no examination of pass- ports either on entering or leaving the port. Chinese women and children to whom the Asiatic Emigration Ordinance applies are required to carry photographs stamped at the Secretariat for Chinese Affairs.

13. In addition to the information given in reply to previous questions, please state whether any other measures have been taken to prevent children from exploitation for immoral purposes, especially where any system of pawning or bartering or adoption of children exists.

as

To what extent have traffickers or other persons purchased children ostensibly as mui- tsai though in reality with the intention of disposing of them for purposes of prostitution indicated in the reply of the Governor on this question in 1922 (C.344. M.195. 1922. IV).

Please give details of all cases of this character made not only of the offenders but also of the victims.

discovered and the dispositions