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The unpleasant suspicion forces itself upon us that the half-hearted attitude of the Government in enforcing the regulations in this matter of Mui-tsai is probably explained by the fact that the victims are helpless children, and so their interests are sacrificed to counteract in some degree the hostility aroused by the rigid applica- tion of other unpopular powers.

But the children are not without friends, and these friends will not relax their efforts until, in the words of the resolution I am seconding: "all girls in Hong Kong who have been obtained by purchase will be released in fact, as opposed to theory".

Appendix No. 6.

Despatch from the Secretary of State to the Governor,

Hong Kong.

No. 258.

Downing Street,

SIR,

7th July, 1934.

I have the honour to transmit to you for your consideration copies of corres- pondence with Sir George Maxwell regarding the operation of the Mui-tsai system in Hong Kong and Malaya.

Sir George Maxwell is now the British member of a permanent Advisory Com- mittee of Experts on Slavery which has been set up by the League of Nations, arising out of the recommendations in paragraphs 71 to 77 of the 1932 Report of the earlier ad hos Committee of Experts, which formed the enclosure to my circular despatch of the 28th of November, 1932.

As explained in paragraph 1 of his letter of the 20th of April, the memoranda have been prepared by Sir George Maxwell for the information and consideration of his colleagues on the Advisory Committee, but before communicating the memoranda to his colleagues Sir George has considered it desirable to invite the observations of the Colonial Office and of the Governments concerned.

In this connection you should know that although Sir George Maxwell is the British member of the Committee, he is in no sense a representative of His Majesty's Government, and is therefore fully at liberty to express any personal views which he may hold. On the other hand it is open to His Majesty's Government to make any communication to the Committee which it may desire, and the Committee is bound to take notice of any such communication.

I have to request that you will give careful consideration to the suggestions in Sir George Maxwell's memorandum, and furnish me with your observations thereon as soon as possible.

GOVERNOR

Sir WILLIAM PEEL, K.C.M.G., K.B.E.,

I have, etc.,

(Sd.) P. CUNLIFFE-LISTER.

&c..

&c.,

&c.