1919-11-13 — Page 1

་

120ISON

LAMPS

ELECTRICAL DEALERS

HONGKONG

SLAVERY."

INTERVIEW WITH MR. LAU CHU PAK.

THE WHOLE POSITION REVIEWED.

A great deal of public interest in Hongkong, has lately been roused on the question of child slavery." a subject to which the Telegraph has devoted not a little attention of late.

here

The

Hongkong Telegraph.

(ESTABLISHED 1881).

1919. THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 13. ̇6899 四拜達號三十月尞十英養

to go to. Now in a case like this, of food, would also have to what is the law to do? Punish be considered. In saying as I the helpless mother, and keep her have said, I must not be taken to daughter in a convent or some mean that I am against any charitable institution? Most of reform. What I mean is that the the so-called "child slavery"conditions of the poor in China cases are more or less similar to this instance. Your paper and the Chins Mail seem to have a clear understanding of the exist- ing state of affairs.

"But do you say there is no representative cruelty ?"* asked...

out

"Girls sold into other families, whether as adopted daughters or servant-girls," replied Mr. Lau are looked upon as Chu Pak,

members of those families. They

being such, it had better be left to public opinion instead of to law to gradually work a change. Their conditions are at present bad enough; but unless means were forthcoming to better them, any legal measure would only make them worse. As far as I am aware of, the home Govern- ment is in possession of all the facts of the case”.

日登廿月九

LATEST SPECIAL TELEGRAMS.

The tailors'

(From "Dur Own Correspondents.} JAILORS' STRIKE ENDED.

Singapore, November 12.. rike has ended, a twenty-äva per cent rise in

wages having been granted.

STRAITS CELEBRATE ARMISTICE.

A MESSAGE OF LOYALTY..

Singapore, November 12.

THE SILENCE MARRED.

The Armistice silence here was marred by a few sirens blowing continuously. Traffic in many cases was not stopped. The instruct- ions seemed to have been insufficiently advertised.

SINGLE COPY: 10 CTS-

** 596 FËR ANNUM.

REUTER'S

United State

O

Usi

Are Good Tires

TELEGRAMS,

THE ARMISTICE ÄNNIVERSARY.

MESSAGE FROM THE ARCHBISHOP.

London, November 8, People of all classes have taken up with enthusiasm the King's suggestion for the armistice commemoration, and have arranged to synchronise all clocks to ensure everywhere an instant silence and suspension of movement.

London, November 7. The Archbishop of Canterbury has issued a letter urging Chris- tiän men and women everywhere to reverently carry out the King's proposed silence. In the absence of the Cardinal Archbishop, who bas gone to Lourdes in connection with the anniversary of the Armistice, the Vicar General has issued a similar exbortation. The Archbishop of Canterbury concludes by stressing the duty devolving on all to realise the true meaning of the League of Nations and Our representative asked Mr. We have been fortunate to

As a Committee meeting of the Straits Discharged Soldiers and hopes that prayers will be offered therefore on Tuesday, adding "the secure a lengthy interview

Lac Chu Pak's opinion regarding Sailors Association it was unanimously decided to send a cable to knowledge of what the League can, and please God will, bring of His Majesty, conveying congratulations on the Armistice anniver-the world's peace and the bettering of the world's life, gives a bright setting of point and purpose to the first anniversary of Armistice the subject, and his views will are better fed and clotbed and do the alleged trafficking which

(Day." doubtless be read with great in lighter work than when they went on and in reply, he stated

WIDESPREAD CO-OPERATION. terest, especially in view of the were with their own parents. In that the word traffic" was apsary, and expressing loyalty and devotion.

"Chinese wedding very close touch he has with all some cases, undoubtedly, indocile parently based on the money con.

and mischievous girls are punish-sideration. things Chinese.

Replying to question as toed by their mistresses but one's presents from the bride-groom's own children would be so punish- family to that of the bride consist whether he thought it could be said that "slavery" actually existeded when they were disobedient of a sum of money, and so do those and up to all sorts of pranks. In in the case of adoption, although he said:- *Slavery the

of Case

ill-treatment different names are employed is a word which has in my

meaning. opinion a broad depends on how you interpret it, and how you use it. In a sense, we are all slaves to something ot somebody. The question recent- ly raised in the local Press had already been investigated more once by the Registrar General, who is now called the Secretary for Chinese Affairs. with the assistance of the lead. ing Chinese. The editorial remarks, especially those of your

and

Ching paper Mail, laid the

fairly. and squarely before the public. Strictly speaking, there is no slavery in China now, nor have selling and buying of human beings. in recent seats, been

that

of

the

case

the documents for such tran-

ver

گورها

here

in

as

0

engaged from outside. or. there-TO-DAY'S EXCHANGE. after. to leave altogether and The closing rate of the doliar, on

employment with other demand, to-day was 48/8 3-163 find also be families. In cities and towns, A: any some of

THE WEATHER. the servant-girls,

• consulted ES

Forecast-Fine. Barometer- when their marriage, actually prefer to lead a life of ill-fame, for from 30.01. Temperature 2 p.m. 74 their point of view such a life Humidity 2 p.m.-60." enables them to enjoy many) lexuries and more "liberty than

to

INDO BOOM.

CONTRADICTED.

The Railway Companies, Police, Local Authorities, and Clergy are co-operating to give the most striking emphasis to the solemnity

of the occasion. The Admiralty has wirelessed all warships and merchant ships to slow down. Where practicable crews will stand to attention, and the Army has been instructed to render a similar act of homage.

TO-DAY'S CHINESE TELEGRAMS.

TROUBLE IN TIBET.

Shanghai, November 12.

"Messrs. Jardine, Matheson and Co. write us as follows

Lau Chuen-ban, Commander of the western territory of "With reference to rumour Sze chuen, has reported that the Tibetan soldiers are showing an that an amalgamation of in-offensive attitude and Hung Hark-wu is now preparing to fight, but

to state

that

are ra-

DON'T FORGET.

of that class. These are the for such report and we general cutlines of the life led questing our London Attorneys

to also publicly contradict it." in by

China. servant girls There. are of course some girls whose parents are denied the privilege of visiting them periodi-

TO-DAY cally; but in these cases, either the girls are sold for adoption or

Theatre Royal.-Frawley Com-1 they are sold to long distances, where it is impossible for the

Past -9.15 p.m.

Coronet Theatre-5.15 and 9.1 parents to go to see their daugh-pany presents "Polly With a

to produce them when ters or for the parties who buy

require. It is more a

matter P.m. them

Victoria Theatre-9.15 p.m.

TO-MORROW. of arrangement with mutual

Coronet Theatre.15 and 9 Asked if he could suggest any consent than anything else."

AERIAL TRIP TO EAST,

Shanghai, November 12, In view of the Italian Legation having notified the Foreign Department that the aeroplanes which started from Rome to the Far East will alight at Ymipo in Namhci district, the Government has indirectly made enquiries from the Canton authority about the

matter.

THE SHANTUNG QUESTION.

by bad-tempered mistresses, the for the monetary gifts. If there girls have their remedies fore: where money is paid, it is they have on the called "traffic", Chinese marriages mainland of China. They can and adoptions may tell their parents or guardians, called "trafficing," when they come to visit them, or rate, what we discuss, now is complain to the neighbours who & question of Chinese social re- would interfere and make things forins and f conditions which unpleasant for their mistresses. have been prevailing from time In Hongkong we bave the Chinese immemorial Law alone will not

married life at the start and Secretariat, the Police Stations suffice to remove any evil which and the Society for the protection may exist."

"Coming back to slavery, the eventually, if they have the luck.} of women and children (Po Leung Kuk) to all of which the girls can existence of which I need not they are taken by men in high AMALGAMATION RUMOUR go with their complaints which again deny, for there is none, I and wealthy positions as con- always receive prompt attention. will now," "olunteered Mr. Lau cubines. After their marriage or On the mainland there are also Chu Pak "say a few words as to even after they leave to work with other families, except when charitable institutions, elders of what sort of life the servant- clats and other influential bodies girls lead. Their bappiness or they have become prostitutes, who will attend to similar unhappiness depends very much they are still allowed to visit the complajats it taken them. on the tempers and circumstances homes of their former masters

Ltd.. and the Indo-China allowed by law, as the wording of For year in Hongkong notices of the families in which they and mistresses as members of the terests of the P. & O. S.N. Co.,the Government has ordered him to guard the territory only. sactions can prove. The wording informing the girls that they are make their new homes. Many family. There are not a fews. N. Co., Ltd. is contemplated, we are authorised by our Board) icvariably is somewhat to this free agents," and should report are taught to read and sew, cases, too, in which such girls

any ill-treatment have been post-besides doing housebold work, are brought up by girl-less people of Directors effect: that at the request of the

are merely as their own daughters, and there is no foundation whatever B few not ed up in brothels, etc.. by the while parent or guardian who is unable

Government, and the Chinese made to do household work and many respectable mec's wives are to support the chikt. and in considerat on of So-and-do agree- know very well that cruelty to look after the children of their same child, ervants is not tolerated in this masters-practically the take

the ing to

poor kind of house-work as Colony." and compensate the parent

Continuing. Mr. Lau Chu Pak man's own daughters are called guardian for the trouble of

brought

child aidSpeaking from a human- upon to do. That these servants Having

the

an are sometimes scolded and beaten ep. the parent or guardian tarian point of view, " voluntarily makes a gift of the of the spinion that unless the is perfectly true. But are not our child for such purpose as agreed, wealthy class and the Govern- own children scolded and beaten of China Cooperate when they manifest bad habits upon (prostitution excepted), sub-ment

establishing foundling and are lazy or disobedient? I have jeet to periodical visits by the parent or guardian for ascertain houses and poor houses in every seen fathers bind their sons up, ing the welfare of the child district to gather up the poor, and thrash them for stealing or given away. Such wording bears support or finance then so as to running away from school, and ample proof that the Chinese laws enable them to live comfortably. I have also seen European mas- do not recognise the selling and it would only make matters ters and mistresses slap their buying of children. Instinctively worse by forcing the common amahs, kick their coolies and no parents are willing to part with people to end a practice to which swear at their boys. But this is their children. It is only when stress of rircumstances force not typical of every father, mas-remedy, Mr. Lau Chu Pak re-

may beplied:

"I repeat that the solution of bard pressed by dire proverty orex- them to resort, and which it is ter or mistress. It tremely distressed circumstances, beyond their means to resist. It argued that amahs, coolies and

in law or religion. Not a fen Wen to sell their children is would, seem to be more in human boys can leave when they are the problem does not entirely lie to starve millions of old and beaten or sworn at, and that the

cannot. But to save the lives of their children

Chinese who have embraced the

faith Christian

still keep circumstances, C&B as well as their own, that they young by blocking up the last servant-girls how to this most painful neces and only resource from which similar

ary wives; and in Christian' fact sity. Without going into a series they can obtain some help to children leave their own par- servant-girls and marry second- than. Hongkong of cases, I may here give you an prolong their existence. unless ents? It is

worse than, or instance which has just taken they were provided with the that even in modern civilized lands other place with my own people. Aways and means of maintaining countries, there are not a few social evils

cases in which children are, if not similar to, such doings, take place widow and her younger daughter themselves and their children. of about eight were seen standing Asked if he thought anything worse, as badly treated as some of every day under modified cames. at the gate of my house weeping. could be done to stop the practice, these girls. I foundling houses I should say the Chinese custom When I was going out. I saw Mr. Lau Chu Pak replied:-"As and other charitable institutions, complained of, or "slavery" as it is them and turned back to ask my

a representative of the Chinese, in which distressed children are called, will die a natural death people what the woman wanted. I fail to see how, in view of exist sheltered, are they not made to when the personal comfort and learn and work, and the naughty | well-being of the poor have No well-off They told me that the woman had ing conditions, I could lend any and lazy ones giver some sort of been improved, been to them begging them to buy

corporal punishment? When people would sell their children, herdaughter as they were starv ing. Her husband died years ago, leaving her and two daughters, the elder of whom had already been sold, fortunately to hood of helping the poor, relieving all Chinese girls of por families people. With the proceeds, she

them of life's most important re-are-often with a better dowry, had a shed built for herself and sponsibilities which, if left to and to men better off than what her younger daughter. The shed themselves, can never be dis their own parents could find for them, if they had not been "söld ". now tumbling to pieces, and charged. So long as Hongkong: owing to the disturbed state of the lies at the door of China, and so Before the marriage is arranged, country, she could not till her bit long as the welfare of the Chinese their parents or guardians (if they of land peacefully, or earn suffic. in general has not been ameliorat exist) are informed, and if the jently by carrying loads to supported by their own government, it is latter so choose, they can take herself and her little girl. She more human to let the matter lie their girls back to marry them by refunding the money originally begged my people to take pity on as it is. 1 may mention that, at paid for them with or without some her by taking over her daugh- the commencement

a Republican revolution in China, remuneration for the trouble their In some dollars.

with up-bringing has cost. along movement

ranks of the Chinese people and, what is more, a means

common a

in

to

useful assistance in suppressing what is complained of. It is a mode of life adopted by all these, girls grow old enough and when there is un selling, to be married, they are marri- there cannot be any buying. As

in the same ed

as a matter of fact. child-selling is way

always looked upon by the be reduced to, a family can Chinis; as the extreme distrese and where it can be helped, relatives assist friends and

prevent it. In the treat- ment of servant-girls, 'alarning retributions have been and are widely cited in stories to prevent cruelty, and to remind those who have in their possession servant- girls whom poverty alone has separated from their parents, that they should be treated with so that she could have her shed other reforms was set on foot cases, if the girls are useful and sympathy and considerateness. repaired, and have some, capital by those in power to abolish the trustworthy, they are sometimes, In Hongkong, the severe punish- found guilty of to do something with. She was custom, but it did not take these with their own consent and that ment meted out to masters and sure that her daughter would be people long to find out that all of their mistresses, taken by their mistresses hetter fed and and clothed by us their efforts in that direction were masters as secondary wives. In flagrant cruelty to child servants, I strongly condemn ill- My people futile, for the simple reason that other cases, the girls refuse to should serve as a sufficient deter- than by herself.

to work 8.3 hair- treatment of the young, be they agreed to pay her some money, the feeding and lodging of mil marry at all, and choose to rent. but refused to take the girl. The lions of destitures in the flooded go

and maids to one's own children or bought any mother kept on begging with and famine-stricken areas were dressers

ladies. In such event, they servants, and welcome Dears, and said that that was not impossible to cope with, not to

preventive measure; but I hold my opinion that the good enough, for, should she die mention that hundreds of thou-arrange to buy themselves off by for anfortunately loss her money, sands of girls released simul-paying so much out of their to

of children would result in far there would be no-one to look taneously would become uncon- earnings for a certain period, or prohibition of buying and selling after the girl, and, moreover, trollable. The miseries consequent to remain on working for their

teru

few

and

pay

her

tens

of

母

of the

out

in the event of her failing upon any State interference with masters and mistresses, first free greater evils, unless means were

to get on by her own efforts, she out proper provisions, such as of wages for two or three years found to support the millions of and the and than at the same rates of poor who struggle for bare" starvation woud, afterwards, have a respect-suicide,

able place, where her daughteris, killing of children for want wages as are paid to maids existence in China.

p.m.

Victoria Theatre-9.15 p.m.

Shanghai, November 12. Some prominent Japanese have advised Tuan Ki-sci to begin 3 to negotiate with Japan in regard to the settlement of the Shantung question, but Tuan says he must wait for the return of Luk Ching- cheong.

A LITTLE MORE SPEED AND LESS CHATTER: OLD

TIMER!

HAKE HIM

LIKE IT,

OC BOY!

THE

PEOPLE

THIS!

I'M AGI

TM AGIN

.

THAT !!

TM AGIN THE

OTHER THING

PEACE

SENATE

TREATY

TIP FROM HIS BOSS;