CO129-543-2 Mui Tsai system 4-1-1933 - 11-4-1934 — Page 32

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(1) with enclosures and (2) on 92583/33/32

and copy of Hong Kong Ordinance No. 4 of 1897 for

convenience of reference.

As regards Muitsai in Hong Kong, I do not

think that there is much we need say to Mr. Harris at

the present stage. Hardly any connection has been

suggested in the Report between the Muitsai system

and prostitution. We should, however, I think draw

attention to the statement on page 172 of the Report

that Hong Kong Ordinance No.1 of 1923 "provides for

the ultimate abolition of the Muitsai system in the

Colony in a not distant future" and explain that in

fact the system was abolished by the Ordinance and

that the girls who were Muitsai are now free to leave

their employers if they wish to return to their

parents, or if they are illtreated, that their status

is now that of free, paid domestic servants, and that

they are no longer Muitsai except in name. The

girls who were Muitsal were registered to the number

of 4368 in 1930. The number remaining on the

register had fallen to 3017 on the 30th of November,

1932, and will continue to fall, as the girls return

to their arents, leave the Colony, marry, enter

domestic service or for other reasons are struck off

the register.

I think it might be convenient to let

Mr. Harris have for his personal information copies of

all the half-yearly reports on Nuitsai which have been

received from the Governor of Hong Kong since 1950,

that is to sey:-

(1)