Stripped of its official and legal language the above
act authorises and makes legal the sale and purchase of a
girl for "adoption under the Chinese custom"
•
The type of a so-called adoption was shewn in ti "Deed
2
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of Presentation" a copy of which I forwarded you in my letter
of February 9th, and this Deed plainly showed that the girl
was sold.
But to consider the status of a girl thus "adopted"by
as genuine purchase, is, as I have constantly pointed out, a subterfuje and
a prostitution of the honourable custom of genuine adoption,
a status which is clearly defined in the Adoption of Children
Act, 1926. Official answers have denied this in spite of
overwhelming evidence to the contrary.
I must now refer you to the "Straits Times" of January 27th,
1932, and the speech of the Acting Secretary for Chinese Affairs in
moving the first reading of the Bill"An Ordinance relating to
Mui Tsai,"in the Straits Settlements.
You will notice that he goes to considerable length to Show
that so-called adoptions are a subterfuge, and "adoption" a mis-
nomer. He includes in the proposed registration all girls and
children obtained by purchase, "Presentation" or "Aãoption".
He says," The definition is drawn, too, in order to overcome
the fiction that the girl is an"adopted daughter." Amongst
Chinese adoption is a recognised and widely practised custon, que
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