Sessional_Paper_1935 — Page 215

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Second Question.

QUESTION (2) SECONDLY:-- The Ordinance contains no provisions for the release of children whose parents are dead, unknown, or re- sident in some place so remote that restoration is an impossibility. It also fails to provide for relatives and friends making application on behalf of an orphan. If the law were amended so as to provide that any relative or friend might apply on behalf of a Muitsai for an enquiry into the circumstances of the girl's employment, and for such relief as may seem to be suitable' it would afford a measure of reason- able protection which, at present, does not exist."

Answer.

for Chinese

to have full

The Secretary for Chinese Affairs as guardian appears to The Secretary have ample power to listen to anyone's representations regarding Affairs as the welfare of any one of his wards, Muitsai or not. Each member guardian appears of the Committee knows from personal experience that any person, power to listen society or body, who is interested in the welfare of a child can always to any applica- see the Secretary for Chinese Affairs and is assured of a sympathetic tion. hearing. If it seemed to him possible to improve the lot of a child, the Secretary for Chinese Affairs would use such powers as he possessed to that end.

the rights of

The Secretary for Chinese Affairs is fettered in dealing with Mui- Doubts as to tsai by a written opinion given by a former Attorney General which the Secretary throws doubts upon the extent of his powers.

It is doubtful whether the functions of the Chinese Secretariat in relation to the Public are generally understood, and it seems not inappropriate to give a short explanation here.

for Chinese Affairs.

The function for Chinese

of the Secretariat

Affairs vis-à-vis the public.

Post.

The office of Secretary for Chinese Affairs is the Senior Cadet Senior Cadet post in the Colony and the holder is an official member of the Execu- tive and Legislative Councils; he must have an intimate knowledge of Chinese, both written and spoken, he must be persona grata with the Chinese community as he is the conduit pipe through which they usually approach the Government; he is the adviser to the Govern- ment in the multifarious matters affecting the Chinese of the Colony in their business, social and family lives.

of Chinese.

Among other duties which seem to have been thrust upon his Guide and friend department is the settlement of the private and family quarrels of the Chinese. These matters are referred to the Secretary for Chinese Affairs as a matter of course; equally, as a matter of course, he acts as arbitrator, or adviser, as the case may require. He has no power in this connection except the personal influence of his officers; and perhaps because of this the majority of such matters are settled ap- parently to everyone's satisfaction.

the Secretariat.

On the Secretary for Chinese Affairs, as one of the most important Organisation of members of the Government, rests the duty of enforcing the policy of the Government. The actual administration of the Muitsai Ordinance is carried out as a rule by one or more of the Junior Cadet Officers attached to the Secretariat.

The Committee feel that the popularity of the Secretariat for No difficulty in finding suitable Chinese Affairs as a forum selected by the Chinese for the settlement officer. of their own family quarrels, confirms the experience of the members of the Committee that the difficulty of finding suitable officer that Appendix No. 12.. Sir George Bowen in one of his despatches anticipated has usually been successfully overcome by the Hong Kong Government.