NIMIVA
October 16th, 1933.
HONG-KONG SLAVE MARKET
To the Editor of the "Express & Echo."
Sir, There are about 600,000 Chinese in Hong Kong subject to our laws, and it is considered that there are about 20,000 child slaves in that number. They are little girls called by the euphemistic term Mui Tsai. Sometimes they are called "adopted daughters," but in any case they are bought, sold, and actual deeds are drawn
up.
London is British, so is Hong Kong. If it were discovered that there were in London 20,000 little Chinese girls held in slavery, subjected to unnameable indig- nities and cruelties, bought, sold, and re- sold, at the whin of their owners, it is possible that the Ilouse of Commons might address a few pertinent questions to the Home Secretary, and ask him what he intended to do in the matter.
Apparently the idea that slavery is im- possible under the Union Jack is a polite fiction learned in our school days, which must be unlearned when we arrive at years of discretion. for slavery, naked and un- shamed, flourishes in British Hong Kong.
The tragedy is that the children who are bought and sold have no power to speak for themselves. True, there is a law for- bidding such sales, but the law is in- adequately enforced, and registration was never carried in an effective manner.
For the honour of the flag, and in the name of justice and humanity, it is asked: When will the British Parliament set these girls free?
A. LANCASTER SMITH, Sidmouth, September 17th, 1933.
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HONG-KONG SLAVE MARKET
To the Editor of the "Express and Echo," Sir, I have read your correspondent's letter under the above heading which appeared in your issue of October 20th last. What he says gives an entirely false impression of the Chinese custom of child adoption known as "Mui Tsai" which has been prevalent in China for thousands of years. Under it young children of low born and sometimes scoundrelly parents are handed over by them to reputable and wealthy families who bring them up as their own; they become good and rich citizens and make a wealthy marriage, and are surrounded by a class of people they never would have associated with had they remained in their original humble and miserable surroundings.
The system perhaps is sometimes abused, and like all good principles in this world imposed upon. Children are handed over from one family to another of the same class for domestic purposes and for which a monetary consideration passes, but a vigilant watch is kept on these transactions by the Colonial Police and the Protector of Chinese Affairs. But to say that 20,000 child slaves exist in Hong Kong and that slavery naked and unashamed exists there is mere rubbish.
It always seems such a useless absurdity for people in the West to try and interfere with the old habits and ancient customs of the East. The Hong Kong Government can very well look after its own affairs without any coercion or interference on the part of the British Parliament. But Mui Tsai " has always flourished and will continue to do so.
"
E. M. TOZER.
Exeter, 22nd October, 1933,
ST.
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