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as the second, she is not sexually attractive. She has not the delicate hands and so- cial graces of the girl trained in the manner described by Sir Cecil Clementi. Never- theless, Sir Cecil Clementi's outspoken despatch after the lapse of years may well have been forgotten by now, and there is good reason to believe that public anxiety still persists upon the subject. An enquiry and public declaration upon it could not fail to do good. Inspector Fraser and his two Lady Chinese Assistant Inspectors have an intimate knowledge of the circumstances of the Mui-tsai, and their official records are complete.

93. I am fully persuaded that the Hong Kong Government sincerely desires to do everything that is possible to improve the welfare of the Mui-tsai during the period that must elapse before the system is completely abolished. In this belief,

In this belief, I suggest that the Governor appoint a local committee to consider and report upon the eight questions contained in paragraphs 81-91. I am emboldened to recommend that the committee comprises European and Chinese, men and women; and that it comprise neither enthusiasts nor experts. It would, naturally be ready to receive both as wit- nesses. If the Governor would appoint such a committee, and publish its report, the result might be to allay some public anxiety caused by imperfect knowledge of facts.

Appendix No. 5.

The Slave Market News July 1934

SLAVERY IN HONG KONG.

Address given by Lt.-Commander H. L. Haslewood, R. N. (Retd.), to the British

Commonwealth League, at their Annual Conference, 1934.

I beg to move the following resolution :-

The Conference of the British Commonwealth League notes with concern the failure of the present laws and regulations to effect the abolition of the Mui-tsai system in Hong Kong. It calls upon the Government to legislate further

1.—For the registration of all girls already purchased under whatever name; 2. To prohibit the further purchase of girls for any purpose;

3.—To institute a far more comprehensive inspectorate, to include women in- spectors, with a view to the ultimate release in fact as opposed to theory, of all girls in the Colony who have been obtained by purchase.

I hope that with the time at my disposal I shall be able to deal with all the points raised in the resolution and show how important and desirable it is that such a resolution should be forwarded to the Authorities.

In considering the whole Mui-tsai question it must be remembered that the sale and purchase of girls in Hong Kong has always taken place under three headings:--- 1.-By Deed of Sale; 2.-By Deed of Adoption; 3.-By Deed of Presentation.

All these documents have virtually the same wording and the vital clause appearing in all three is that a sum of money is handed over to the parents and guardians of a girl by the new owner.

T

In other words, in each case the girl is bought, and further, in practice, each girl thus bought becomes a Muitsai, in fact, whatever she may be called in name.