Sessional_Paper_1886-1887 — Page 222

33.-

Enclosure 2.

STRAITS SETTLEMENTS.

A BILL

INTITULED

An Ordinance to make further provision for the Protection of Women and Girls.

W

HEREAS it is expedient to make further provision

for the protection of women and girls:

It is hereby enacted by the Governor of the Straits Set- tlements with the advice and consent of the Legislative Council thereof as follows :-

1. This Ordinance may be cited as "The Women and Girls' Protection Ordinance 1886.”

2. (1). The Protector or Assistant Protector of Chinese Immigrants at any Settlement (which said Protector and Assistant Protector are hereinafter included in the term "The Protector") may if he reasonably suspects that any woman has been brought into the Colony for immoral purposes by fraud or misrepresentation or under any false pretence and that from fear ignorance or for any other cause she is unable or unwilling to disclose the true circumstances of the case require any person in whose custody or under whose controul she appears to be to furnish security in a reasonable amount to the satisfaction of the Protector that such woman shall not leave the Settlement in which she then is without the previous consent in writing of the Protector.

(2.). In default of such security being furnished the Pro- tector may by warrant under his hand and seal order that such woman be removed to a place of safety and there dc- tained until she can be returned to the place whence she was brought or otherwise proper provision can be made for the protection of her interests and liberty.

3. (1) The Protector if after due enquiry he is satisfied that any girl is being used far immoral purposes or is being trained for such purposes and that such girl is under the age of sixteen years may by warrant under his hand and seal order such girl to be removed to a place of safety and there detained until she attains the age of sixteen years.

(2) A girl found living in a brothel shall be deemed to be a girl who is being trained for immoral purposes.

4. (1)-The Protector shall have full power to sommon any person whom he may have reason to believe can give any information respecting any woman suspected of having been brought into the Colony for immoral purposes by fraud or misrepresentation or under any false pretence or respect- ing any girl suspected of being used or trained for immoral purposes and the person so summoned shall be legally bound to attend at the hour and place in the summons specified and to produce all documents in his custody possession or power relating to such woman or girl and to answer truthfully all questions which the Protector may put to him respecting any such woman or girl or in any way relating to the matter being enquired into.

(2)—The Protector shall be deemed to be a public ser- vant within the meaning of the Penal Code and may ad- 'minister oaths and affirmations to and examine on oath or affirmation any person summoned before him for the pur- poses of this Ordinance.

5. Every warrant purporting to be issued in pursuance of this Ordinance and to be under the haud and seal of the Protector shall be received in evidence in every Court of the Colony without further proof and shall be evidence of the facts therein stated and in all acts done in pursuance of such warrant shall be deemed to have been authorised by law.

6. No order made by the Protector in pursuance of this Ordinance shall be questioned or set aside by any Court but any person who may be aggrieved by any such order may appeal to the Governor in Council whose decision shall be final.

Short title.

Woman brought for Immoral purposes by fraud, &c.

Children under sixteen used or trained for Immoral purposes.

Protector to have power to summon and examine witnesses.

Warrant to be suficient authority for detention.

Appeal to Governor in Council.

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