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unmet need. It was pointed out by one speaker at the meeting: "We are turning out and shall continue to turn out young men more and more advanced, I hope, as the years go by" here he was referring principally to Central Government School (later Queen's College).
"But," he continued, "we are not providing in the same ratio suitable wives for them." In his view educated men would profit by having educated wives.
There was also another dimension to the education of females. "We must also consider that the wife is mother of the future generations, and it would be a great thing, if we were sufficiently ripe for it, to educate the mothers of the future generations who are to dwell among us, and a great thing for the people of the country."
In his day, education for women meant preparation for their lives as wives and mothers, not as in our day for careers in business, the professions, industry or the arts.
In 1893, the Hongkong philanthropist, Emanuel Raphael Belilios, gave money to establish a middle school for girls. Today it is located on Tin Hau Temple Road.
Another memorial scheme discussed was a home to care for girls and women rescued from brothels. Many of these had been purchased and their status was not far from slavery. The buying and selling of children and women was prohibited in Hongkong, but its control was difficult. The demand for girls was great enough to encourage kidnapping in China and their transportation to Hongkong or to overseas Chinese communities.
In an effort to check these abuses and protect women and girls, the Po Leung Kuk had been organised in 1880. It was promoted by leading Chinese merchants and had been approved by the Government.
No provision had been made at that time, however, for the housing of those who came under the Society's protection. The intention was to send them back to their homes in China.
228
unmet need. It was pointed out by one speaker at the meeting: "We are turning out and shall continue to turn out young men more and more advanced, I hope, as the years go by" here he was referring principally to Central Government School (later Queen's College).
"But,” he continued, “we are not providing in the same ratio suitable wives for them.” In his view educated men would profit by having educated wives.
There was also another dimension to the education of females. "We must also consider that the wife is mother of the future gener- ations, and it would be a great thing, if we were sufficiently ripe for it, to educate the mothers of the future generations who are to dwell among us, and a great thing for the people of the country.”
In his day, education for women meant preparation for their lives as wives and mothers, not as in our day for careers in busi- ness, the professions, industry or the arts.
In 1893, the Hongkong philanthropist, Emanuel Raphael Beilios, gave money to establish a middle school for girls. Today it is located on Tin Hau Temple Road.
Another memorial scheme discussed was a home to care for girls and women rescued from brothels. Many of these had been purchased and their status was not far from slavery. The buying and selling of children and women was prohibited in Hongkong, but its control was difficult. The demand for girls was great enough to encourage kidnapping in China and their transportation to Hongkong or to overseas Chinese communities.
In an effort to check these abuses and protect women and girls, the Po Leung Kuk had been organised in 1880. It was promoted by leading Chinese merchants and had been approved by the Government.
No provision had been made at that time, however, for the housing of those who came under the Society's protection. The intention was to send them back to their homes in China.
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