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8. Migratory nature of the Population. The population still remains to a large extent migratory, a large proportion of it going backwards and forwards between the Colony and China. In 1920 about 1,300,000 arrived from China and 120,000 from places overseas, 1,350,000 left for China, and about 100,000 for places overseas. The number of persons born in Hongkong is only 43,275, well distributed among all ages up to 50, and much rarer after that age. In 1897 the number of women of child bearing age was 28,423; this figure increased to 53,326 in 1911, and to 89,044 in 1921. Thus during this period of 24 years alone, the number of children born and successfully reared in the Colony must have been at least four times the number of all ages of Hongkong- born found still living in the Colony at the present Census. The number who claim British nationality, 15,645, is probably the best criterion by which to estimate the per- manently settled portion of the population. However the increase in the number of children, married women and widows shows that family life is increasing which makes for greater stability. It would be instructive in the next Census to ask for the length of residence in the Colony.

9. Occupation. The system on which occupations have been classified is far more elaborate than that used in 1911, and is based on the method of classification as revised for the 1921 Census of the United Kingdom. The number of separate entries has been increased from 146 to 475. Though in the instructions printed on the back of the schedule a special warning was given against inaccurate and vague descriptions of occupation, a large number contented themselves with describing their occupation as

work business

artisan apprentice ".etc.

K

79 26

2) (C

27 66

""coolie' shop-assistant manager

11 46

The greatest increases are among the trades connected with metals being largely due to the activity of the two large shipyards. A large increase is also shown under the manufacture of clothes, but the large number of women returned as engaged in needlework is too high, and this term was probably used in very many cases as denoting simply household duties. The manufacture of hosiery and knitted goods especially in Yaumati has greatly increased of recent years, the employees being chiefly women. A large number of women are also employed in cigarette making at Wanchai. The rattan furniture trade shows a greatly increased number of hands.

Seamen appear in very large numbers, this being due to the shipping slump which has especially affected the smaller tramp coasting steamers, of which a considerable number were laid up in this port at the date of the Census. The bulk of the population still depends on general commerce for their livelihood, but manufactures are gradually increasing, and Chinese seem more willing to embark their capital in industrial ventures than formerly. The chief manufacturing industries at present are ship-building, sugar- refining, manufacture of cigars and cigarettes, rope, paper, hosiery and knitted goods, preserved ginger and rattan furniture. Most of the other manufactures mentioned in the table are carried on on a small scale in shops employing less than 20 hands. Amongst the professions teachers have more than doubled.

The only note-worthy decrease is under the sale of opium from 139 to 60, due to stricter control over the sale of the drug.

10. Child Labour. Table XXIII, Part II.-In view of the interest aroused lately in the employment of young children, a special table has been devoted to the occupations of children under 14 (English reckoning). It will be seen that except in domestic work very few under 12 are employed. Children employed carrying building material are included under Orders XIII and XXII, which also include such occupations as painting, paint-scraping, scaffold-erecting, stone breaking and other miscellaneous light work. The large number of girls classified under "Manufacture of Clothing" is accounted for by the great tendency displayed to record females who had no other occupation than helping in the home as engaged in needlework. It is unlikely that more than half the young girls so recorded actually earn wages by needlework. Few male apprentices under 12 are recorded, the age when apprenticeship generally begins being 13 to 16. The chief manufactures in which child labour can be usefully employed are those of cigarettes and hosiery, recent introductions on the factory scale. At present factories properly so called are very rare, and most of the child labour engaged in manufacture is employed in small shops or at home. The large number of boys employed in domestic duties, ie., in private houses, or as cooks in shops, is noteworthy, contrasted with the small number of free girls so employed. Considering the absence of any legal restraint on the employment of child labour, the numbers of