1921-08-04 — Page 5

Page

CORRESPONDENCK.

THE "MUI TSAI" SYSTEM.

:

{TO EDITOR OF TUS KONGKONG DALLY PRESS."1

i

1.-Was the outcome of a suggestion of

THE HONGKONG DAILY PRESS, THURSDAY, AUGUST ITE 1911.

As far as I understand it, the Hon. LOSS OF THE "LUEN ON." Mr. Ho Fook has no mai trais, yet while I admire him for that stand in so

MARINE INSURANCE ACTION.

JUDGMENT RESERVED,

His Honour Mr. Justice Gomperta con.. cluded the re-hearing of the action con cerning the insurance of the s.s. Luen On, at the Supreme Court, yesterday.

The defence of the insurance company was that the vessel was not seaworthy at the time she put out to sea and that she returned to port, thereby deviating from her voyage and, as a result determin- ing the policy.

וי.

OPIUM UNDER ANCHOR CHAINS.

SUMMONS. AGAINST INDO-CHINÀ CO. DISMISSED.

بينايي

**NOT SATISFACTORILY PROVED: EITHER WAY.""

far as the mus rast is concerned, I must disagree with him when he states that officials like Sir Henry May, Sir Stewart Lockbart, Messrs. Clementi, Halifax, 80,--This communication relative to Ross, Wolfe, Mcl. Messer and Fletcher

The bearing was concluded, before. Mr. this mwi hai question should have reach know more, and have more experience

G. N. Orme, yesterday, of the case in ed you for publication much earlier than in Chinese domestic affairs, than Mrs.

which the Indo-China Steam Navigation shin, hut it was purposely withheld to Hazelwood, and would have put to

Co., Ltd., through the General Managera, ascertain the results of the pass meeting to the muita system if they had seen

Messrs. Jardine, Matheson & Co., Ltd., which was held at the Taiping Theatreat to do it. Maybe these gentlemen

were summoned for allowing one of their in connection therewith...

know ruora than Mrs. Hazelwood; maybe

steamers the Kumuang, to be used for in this they have noticed the evils of the

Mr. F. C. Jenkin (for the defence) the transportation of illicit opiumi. Colony for purposes other than domestic mus tial system, but perhaps all of these called Mr. Charles James Thomson, chief Mr. N. L. Smith, Superintendent of beyond doubt, and the efforts of the gentlemen did not see it to disturb, or boarding officer attached to the Harbour Imports and Exports, prosecuted; and Mr. Hon. Messrs. Lau Chu Pak and Ho Fook consider it wise to interfere with, Chinese Department, who said he had twelve A. H. Crew (of Messrs. Hastings & Hast to deny its existence by mass meeting domestic life; and, unless the Hon. Mr. years' experience of the China Sens and

had put in two years on the Hongkongings) defended.. demonstrations are not only futile but Ho Took cas produce evidence that Manda ran. He was a master mariner The opium was found beneath the *trengthen and justify the warfare waged these worthy officials were not against and joined the Government service in bottom of the chain lockers, with 30 tons against the system by that public-spirited the system, it would be rather harded to the examination service, he bearded of anchor chain on top, and the prosecu

Jane, 1913. For two years, while attach and able lady, Mrs. Hazelwood.

for any of us to believe that represents the Luen On regularly at about weekly tion submitted that sa the opium could Blave Trafo, whether it be for domsitives and officials of the British Govern-intervals.

Mr. Jenkin: Assuming she was pro

not have been placed there without the tic or any other purpose, is wrong in mant could feel the same as Chinese foel perly equipped in all respects what is removal of the chain, and as such re- eonception and in principle, and in this on the subject and countenance it... your opinion as to the Luen On's ability moval required steam and must coma But all of these gentlemen, I am sure, to make the trip (from Hongkong to within the cognisance of the ship's civilised age every effort should be made

Manila)! to abolish the system entirely, 1 am

throughout all the years that they have

Witness: With an ordinary monsoon I officers, the Company was clearly liable," much interested in the subject, and it spent in China in acquiring a know do not see any reason why she should not

The defence called exhaustive evidence would be very enlightening to know if ledge of the written and colloquial have done it,

The Luen On had

that the chain had never been fully paid a total carrying the mass meeting held at the Taiping Chinese language and administering the

capacity of 180 tons what in your opin-out, and that no one could get down Theatre on Sunday last:-

Government must have at least gained ion would be the total amount of bailaat between the chain and the sides of the the knowledge that mui tenis are classi required for putting to sea at this locker. the Flome Government, Local Qored under three headings:-

period I should say two-thirds of her It was suggested that the informer carrying capacity-120 tons.

might throw some light on the matter. ernment, or

The first of these is the mui tan, which

Then if she went out, with 80 tons of 2. Was it convened by the Hon.

Messrs. Lau Chu Pak and Ho Fook is just one of those little girls that can ballast, she would therefore in your in response to a demand from the be bought and sold at will.

opinion, be insuficiently ballasted -I Chinese community to enable them, which is a little slave-girl that com- ballasted to take her for a voyage of The second of these is the chong kur gould not say she has beently roll to ventilate their feelings on the, prises part of a bride's marriage dowry; this kind. subject, or

and goes along as part of her goods and Mr. Jenkin remarked that the ballast chattela

The think of these is the chi li mui. taken on when the ship returned made her total ballast up to 120 tone-the which is a little servant girl who is employed as a servant girl, and not as a

figure mentioned by Mr. Thomson.

Discussing the possibility of the Luca If No. 1, the meeting was certainly slave, performing the dusies of a domestic. On's having been lost through collision, elaborate hiding place that, although successful in that it suggested the far-old carns from fifty (50) cents to two Mr. Thomson said that on November the Magistrate must convict under the

dollars (82) per month, including food.........

18th the moon was two days old, so that Section (he submitted), the European mation of a Committee to protect and

With regard to Class 1, the Chinese there would be no moonlight and not officers were to some extent exonerated. control the little slaves, which was really gentlemen," "Tortoises." and "Slave much starlight. The most likely chance Mr. Smith added that he was now in- what the Home Secretary stated in the dealers of this Colony are aware of the of a collision was with one of the large clined to take the view that the cable House of Commons was being done. fact that it constitutes a crime to buy around the track for 300 miles. These

fishing junka that were to be found was not moved.

Mr. Crow then called Mr. George Gray, If No. 2, the meeting was a failure and and or to sell alaves in Hongkong, and, craft were much larger than the junksex-second officer of the Amsang, who said was in no way representative of popular for the purpose of evading the Law, the scen in Hongkong and very seldom car it would be impossible to get down be Chinese feeling, for the simple reason Deed of Transfer under which the child other vessels, then they displayed a flash locker or for the chain to be run out ried lights, except when approaching tween the chain and the sides of the chain that a very small percentage of owners passes hands is so worded as to convey light aft: He knew of an instance where without the officers knowing it of these slave girls was present."--" the meaning that the little slave-girl has one of Butterfeld & Swire's abipe had Under the category of slave-owners, been given by the parents to the other collided with a junk with the result that according to the Hon. Mr. Ho Fook, party as a benefactor in consideration of one of the vessel's plates was bent right in. If the Luen On hit a Sshing ink "Chinese gentleman" who a sum of money paid by the benefactor there would be a ten to one chance of acquires these slaves by virtue of his to the podr parents to recompense them her foundering; if a junk hit the Zuen On the latter would certainly fill up and wealth; the Tortoise," an epithet, ap for the money that they spent in bring founder. Usually the junks fished with Thia recompense is heavy hawsers between them which wore plied to a woman who deals in them for ing up the child. immeral purposes and the Slavo called by the slave trafickers keung choo generally several inches thick and some

ngan which, being translated literally, times 500 feet long. If the Luer On dock, in Hongkong, last January, as ran into one of these hawsers she would means Ginger and Vinegar Money, be certain to go down. whereas in the documents; as they are prepared in Obian according to the pro per custom, it is the practice to insert the words sun kar ngan, which is the equivalent, literally speaking, to "Value of the Body" and precludes any argu ment as to the rightful ownership.It is an outright sale.

3. Was it merely organised by the two Hon. Chinese members of the Legislative Council, and for what purpose!

CONCR

the

THE PETITION

IS BEING LARGELY SIGNED

BUT- IT'S YOUR SIGNATURE WE WANT.

SIGN TO-DAY,

dealer," who is in the business for the purpose of gain; and from this it is evident that the "Chinese gentleman" is no better than the "Tortoise" or the Slave dealer in that he sanctions, encourages, and supports a traffic that is as shameful and illegal as it is in human:

Mr. Jenkin: From a marine point of view is the existence of these junks an actual obstacle to navigation are they a real danger?

#

Witness: Yes; you have got to keep a look-out for them. You must keep your eyes skinned all the time as you never know the moment when one of them may pop up out of the darkness.

Mr. Smith mid ho, had been unable to find the actual informer, but he had got it second hand that it was not neces neath the chain locker. If he were per- sary to take the chain up to get under

mitted to recall Revenue Officer Ward, that witness would say that he got down there before the chain had been paid ont. The Magistrato: Revenus Officer Ward said at frst he could not do so.

Mr. Smith aid it seemed such an

Mr. Harald Meek, the present second officer, gave similar evidence. He said that the chain would not go into the chain locker unless it was closely stowed. Mr. Claud Hassell, cadet on the ship, said he was in the chain locker after the overhaul to see that the chains were properly stowed.

Mr. Smith: I think it is quite incredi ble that the opium was put on board in

suggested.

The Magistrate: Unfortunately we are little in the dark I relied on Mr. Smith's getting something from the in- former. Evidence has been given-with great multiplicity that the chain would fill the locker and would prevent the passage of anybody, but now Mr. Smith suggests recalling the first "witness to contradict what he said before, I do not feel inclined to consent to it. As the As to the likelihood of a report being evidence stands it does not seem I can Whatever life the little slave is sold made of such a collision, the witness reasonably convict It simply amounts pointed out that if the ship collided with to the issue not being, proved by the into whether it be to the "Tortoise for a junk there would probably be no life! Crown. On the evidence I do not think In any event the I can possibly find that the crew or ser- the purpose of prostitution; whether it be saved on either craft. to the "Chinese gentleman," for what crew of the junk would quite possibly be vants of the company can have access too frightened to say anything about it. to the place where the opium was found. ever purposes he desires; or whether to

In his address, Mr. Alabaster (for the Mr. Smith: It will be cleared up it we the "Blave dealer for the purpose of owners), declared that Mr. Jenkin's con could Have more evidence from Havenue gain-the documents relating to the tention that the vessel was unseaworthy Officer Ward, but of course I should have

The fact that got that out in the first instance. transfer contain the words keung ched was entirely fallacious.

Mr. Crew: The position of any defen the captain had returned to port in order ngan insead of sun kar ngan in order to to take additional precautions was cited daat is dificult if the prosecution's wit II No. 3, I can hardy see what the two avoid the penalties of the law, and all of as evidence of the vessel's unseaworthinesses are allowed to eat their own Hon. gentlemen could hope to obtain these Chinese gentlemen," "Tortoises," ness, but that was just the same as say words.

The Magistrate: I think as the case for the betterment of the conditions and "Slave dealors, under the guise of onder shich theso poor little slave girls benefactors, par a sum of money for the conditions were such, counsel submitted, sent ussatisfactory position and remain "exist. The whole proceedings of the possession of the little slave, body, and that the captain, acting prudently and unproved ar to how the opium got there." meeting were rather a defence of the soul. Indeed, a delightful and novel and fide considered it to be in the shall find that on the evidence the interests of the venture that he should defendants are exonerated, adding that. mui taai system, and served to keep the form of philanthropy and charity!

return to port Had the vessel been un I do not think it had been satisfactorily Class of these mu tada are the same seaworthy she could not have lived proved either way." little lave girls in servitude rather than to bring about their emancipation, and, as No. 1, excepting that they form a part through the sea during the three days The summons was dismissed.

she was out before returning to port for more ballast. Mr. Alabaster claimed whatever arguments were advanced in of the bride's dowry and go with her.

Class 3 of these mui trais cannot really that the evidence showed that the vessel -defence of the system, there was none

among them that would justify the come under the heading of slaves, and was senworthy, and be argued that the

deviation. continuance of such a practice among should be the only form of mui tea, but master was quite justifind in making the Han Lordship said that he would re- an-enlightened Chinese community Buch it might be advisable to introduce Legis as we have in Hongkong, and beaded kylative Measures to insure a proper ago terve judgment. men of such calibre and type as Messrs. limit, or treatment, etc., necessary to

Thoir welfare. 'Lan Chu"Pak and Ho Fook

It is surprising that they, as public men, did not see fit to advocate the abolition of the system entirely, know. ing well that the admiration and respect of other asfionals cannot be given if we contique to interfere with the rights and freedom of defencelcas, individuals,

The Slave Traffic indulged in by the Tortoises in the particular branch that should be given attention at once. All of these little slaves bought by these "Tortoises

brought dre

up for the

the Tortoises

ing that a man was necessarily dirty because he took a bath. The weather stands it will have to be left in its pré-

BATHING TRAGEDY. CHILD DROWNED NEAR STONECUTTER'S.

A PASSENGER'S POSSESSIONS TWO KINDS OF CONTRABAND.

A steerage passenger on the Tailer was pentenced, sesterday, to six months' hard labour for having in his possession two revolvers and four rounds of ammuni- tion, and fined $250 (or a further three having months imprisonment), for attempted to smuggle into the Colony over 5,000 dubiable cigarettes.

A Chinese revenue officer found the

purpose of prostitution, and when of pass Much sympathy will be felt for Mr. accused lying on the batch with his head able appearance, though act of age are and Mrs. Bolderson of 33, Yik Ker Build-on a basket. Inside two bundles of placed or located in a brothel at Sheking, Nathan Road, Kowloon, whose seven Chinese bamboo hats, one on each side Long Tsui to earn for the

year old son fell into the harbour from a of the accused, witness found the, contra- it is true that all these young girls have launch when returning from Stone band. When the witness pulled out a small bag containing the revolvers and to get a kind of licence from the Secre cutter's, on Tuesday evening. to say nothing of the duty that they, as

tary of Chinese Affairs before they can Near the eastern entrance of the unmunition from inside one of the hats, men of enlightenment, owo to the lesser enter a brothel, but the farcical procedure typhoon refuge the child overbalanced the accused snatched it from him and enlightened section of the Chinese-com- the girls undergo at that office is such that and fell into the water. The alarm was attempted to throw it overboard.

The accused explained that he snatched, most, if not all, of them secure their given immediately and the launch wha munity,

licences, whether they be of age or other stopped. Several people on the boat the bag because he thought it was a coat The meeting, while it yielded no re. wise. To say the least, the system in dived after the boy, but the body had which he had given to a cinasman on baard to wash. He was a farmer in the aults worthy of note, was nevertheless vogue at the office of the Secretary of sunk and has not yet been recovered.

country and came here to look for a made significant by one utterance of the Chinese Affairs is such that it badly needs

friend who had promised to find work Chairman when he stated that the revision, and an investigation by a res

for himis concubine, system would have to be sur-ponsible Committee would do a lot to pressed, too, as a result, if the mus sai remedy conditions and prevent immature lifa system was abolished," or words, con- little girle from being forced into a veying that meaning. What the Chair against their will which they probably

could and would save themselves from if A man meant to imply by such a statement they wers allowed to inature, and ripca as this is beyond my understanding, make it be a warning to Chinese in years, when they would be better able gentlemen that if they allowed the to choose the life they desire. mui trai system to go they would have

Thanking you for the insertion of this to content themselves with one wife and letter.-I am, yours very truly,

T. HK forego the expensive Inxury of a house- hold of concubines

Hongkong, August 3rd, 1923.

COUET MARTIAL SENTENCE. When the sentence was translated "to bitz, accused asked for the fine to be On the remaining charge against Lieut. reduced. He said that on the way to Thompson, of the Wilts. Regt the Hongkong he had lost several hundreds Court Martial has promulgated sentence of dollars in Sunning and was now

reprimand: The accused oficer as almost penniless.

The Magistrate (Mr Lindsell): You found not guilty of misappropriation of of funds and of all other charges except are a liar. If you were really a farmer that of altering an entry to the extent of in the country, it is impossible for you $4.30 which he admitted having done, to have had several hundreds of dollars in ignorance of book-keeping rules,"q"

to throw away In gambling.

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