CO129-542-10 Mui Tsai system- correspondence from private individuals 13-1-1933 - 11-12-1933 — Page 24

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a question put by Mr. Mander on the 7th of December. I

enclose a copy of the question and of my answer.

The Hui Tsai syetem to which reference is made in

Local

fitto

the letter iɛ, as you probably know, e/system ModLOR

which hes long existed among the Chinese. An immemoriel

social custom of this sort is not easily or quickly eradicated

from the Chinese population of Hong Kong, but the Colonial

Government may fairly claim to have made substantial progress

in the matter. It has abolished the servile status of exist-

ing Mui Tsai and has prohibited the acquisition of ner Mui Tsai

and of their introduction into the Colony. In other words,

the Yui Tsai system no longer obtains in Hong Kong. The

girls who formerly held the status of Mui Tsai in Hong Kong

households have been registered and are subject to inspection

It has been made compulsory to pay them

and supervision.

wages, and they are free to leave their employers if they wish

to return to their homes, or if they are subjected to any ill-

treatment. Their status is now that of free paid domestic

servants.

The Hong Kong Government is satisfied that no

serious