1928-10-22 — Page 10

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MUI TSAI SCANDAL ruined and nothing, in fact, will

AGAIN.

PETITION FOR ENFORCEMENT]

OF LAW.

REGISTRATION ASKED.

A new attack on the, mui tsai Bystem in Hongkong was launched on the occasion of the annual meeting of the local-Anti-Mul-Taal

man, claiming that the system was still in full operation in the Colony, urged the enforcement of registration provided for in the Ordinance of 1923.

have been done.".

The Chairman next referred in some detali to the statement, made in March, 1929, by the spokesman ∞f the London Colonial Office, in anawer to a question in the Houso of Commons declaring that he had indicated to the thes, Govornor of Hongkong that he wished that the sui teai system bo regulated with in a year's time.

The Pros, and Cons.

THE HONGKONG TELEGRAPH..

MONDAY, OCTOBER 22, 1928.

to 14 years old, 60 cents a month cases in which the mistresses tried from 16 to 17, 81 n month; whilst to demand big sums of money as those who are over 18 can work as rodemption from the muf tear's a free maid-servants under a for parents, and through the Society's mer master or mistress, or go to influence they promised to give other employment, but must firat up their demands, when some in- report to the Secretary for Chin-siltution Intervened with arbitra- cae Affairs, stating that the age tion, making the parouts pay half has been reached.

THE REPARATIONS PROBLEM.

FRIENDS OF DUMB

ANIMALS.

HONGKONG ESSAY

COMPETITION....

The S.P.C.A., co-operating with|

THE U.S. PRESIDENCY.

RELIGIOUS ISSUE "TAKES A PROMINENT PLACE..

New York, Oct. 21. Governor Al. Smith, speaking in

AN AGREED AMOUNT.

Paris, Oct. 20.' The New York Herald (Paris] the redemption; these being the (7) All mini taai who are ill-ensos of So Cheuk-Klu, Li Hung, edition) states that the conference the local Boy Scouts and Girl Chicago in a final campaign ad- Associations, have dress in thot Middle West, accused treated, not registered, or delayed and Tao Sham-koo. This was, of between M. Poincare, Mr. Churchill Guides in Hongkong for over the given course, much against our will and and Mr. Parker Gilbert, Agent Gen-organised annual prize essay com- the present administration of a period should be entrusted to the purpose, which always aims at oral of Reparations Payments, petitions for the troops in cach "roaction to Bourbonism," and Po Leung Kuk, and the latter complete emancipation by acting agreed to fix Germany's debt to association, one of the conditions charged the Republicans with o should advertise in the newspapers on the Government's instructions the allies within practicable limits being that each troop must work lack of policy as regards many at a sum well below the 182 up the subject chosen for it, and important problems, including Society, on Saturday. The Chair objections to the registration of for the purents or nepr relatives without paying any redemption, milliards of marks, decided on then delegate-a-member to write the corruption attending the on-

under the London Agreement of the essay.

forcement of Prohibition." to come and claim her. The Poor any part of it, by the parents. Leung Kak should execute this Very often reports of cruelty 1921.

This year, the prize has gone to Mr. Hoover will deliver an in-. duty free for the mu tea's had been found true and confirmed

The Onevre understands that Douglas Hunt, of the Fifth Troop pertant speech in his rival's chief by inquiries, made by the Society, Mr. Churchill emphasised that the of Scouts. A good effort was sub-stronghold on October 22, parents.

but the detectives sent by the au- British Government would reject mitted by M. H. Murphy, of the Religious Controversy. thorities to make the necessary anything which might appear to lat Sea Scouts. Phyllis Ander-i The religious issue continues to enquiry would return with con- be in the nature of pressure upon son, of the 2nd Kowloon Company, bo, a prominent matter of contro- trary reports and entirely different America or even simply an appeal was awarded the prize for the versy, owing to the Southern Girl Guides, but as there was a Methodist Bishop Cannon accustug stories. With a view to overcom-to American generosity.

An authoritative statement misinterpretation of the subject, the Roman Catholic Church of In- ing this difficulty, however, the

and states Mr. D. H. Blake,, the chair tensive propaganda for Governor committed of the society has ap further says that France proached the Government to get Britain have reached satisfactory man of the S.P.C.A., it is not Smith through the Catholic news

TAN regards the permission, to allow our Engilsh conclusions

connexion with reparations publication,

are suficiently interesting for secretary to go together with the essentials and minimum demands thought that the Guides" essays detectives, to make enquiry into in any case dealt with by the So from Germany. They now seek Sir Henry Pollock very kindly clety, so that the real state of the approval of Italy, Belgium presented a challenge cup for the affairs may be investigated and a and Japan, and it is possible that Boy Scouts competition, and the true and reliable report be made. a conference to discuss the matter S.P.C.A. Bas presented a challenge But whether this step of procedura will meet in Berlin in December will be approved still remains to with

Addressing the large gathering of members, the Chairman, Mr. Yeung Shui-chuen, said:

"Ladies and gentlemen, the an- nual meeting of the Society to-day is one which differs slightly from its predecessors, because in addi- tion to giving you a report on the work of the past year, together with the accounts, we are going to elect new officials, and also con- sider a proposal that, since the So ciety has been catablished for six years and seven months, the re- gulations drawn up such a long time ago may not be suitable for the requirements of to-day.

The large attendance to-day proves the enthusiasm and sin cerity of the public in response to the call for humanitarian work.

Since the resignation of our first chairman, Mr. J. M. Wong, I have had the honour of occupying the post for the past few years, but regret to say that what we have accomplished during this period towards reaching our goal has been insignificant. It is my de- aire that someone else be elected to the post to-day, and that the mui tant system may be abolished

The chaliman then stated that niui tsai were principally as fol- lows:

(1) It was feared by some that the men sent to vinit houses to carry out registration would extort money or receive bribes from the masters of the mui tsai, but care- ful consideration would convince them that this supposition was not logical. Certainly they could not dispense with the whole mat- ter simply because a few members of the police force might be found to "squeeze" money from Chinese street hawkers. Ife belloved that if registration were enforced for 12 years, the mui taai system would vanish altogether.

(2) Other objections were, that undesirable characters may pose as policemen and enter houses, or that the Investigators may Inter- fere with the porce of homes.

He continued.--According

to

private estimates, there are about 10,000 mui tsai in Hongkong, and according to the investigation of some six years ago, there were in Hongkong and on the mainland a total of 8,655 mui tsai, of whom 5,758 were under the age of 14.

If the Government should en-

force registration, in six years time the 6,900 or more muti trai now about, 14 or 16 years old will be at a mature age. The majority of them can be married, whilst the rest can earn their own living as free housemaids.

|

Regulations for Adopted Daughters.

(1) Parents of all adopted daughters should register the names of the latter not more than six months after the promulgation After that period of the law. those who want to register should be required to furnish proof from a solicitor, confirming that the girl is adopted.

(2) The deed of the adoption should be tendered to the Secre- tary for Chinese Affairs, who should place on it a mark confirm ing that the girl is an adopted daughter.

(3) The adopted daughter should be present during the regis- fration, to enable her to under- stand her future position 48 daughter of the family.

(4) The parents of the adopted girl should provide the latter with an education similar to that given to their own daughters.

(6) A heavy fine should be im- posed on those who employ an adopted daughter as a mui taai, and imprisonment if they employ or sell her for prostitution.

be seen.

Support Needed, Meanwhile, should any case of cruelty оссит, our committeo would have no right to interfere and investigate unless the case should also come to the notice of the police authorities. At a meet ing of the committee last month, a resolution was unanimously pass ed that the Government be ap proached again in order to enforce the registration of mus teai, so that present ones might be given The Government should also safe protection, while the sale of proclaim a law strictly forbidding innocent daughters as slave girls the selling, and purchasing of might also discontinue. This is Another good factor in the re-girls without the presence and what we have done so far in fur: Petition to Government.

gistration system is that quite a proof of a solicitor, proving that thering our cause, and we now en- Another factor which I wish to number of the owners will be will the girl is adopted and purchus-dist your support and assistance. emphasise is that, with the appro- ing to hand over thoir mui tsai ed as a daughter. A breach of As to the financial standing of val and support of you gentlemen, to the Government's public ward this law should be penalised with the society, It is by no the Society intends to petition theor similar places under the super-imprisonment, while persons sound as its income depends large- Hongkong Government to enforce vinion of the Government. Fur directly connected with the unlawly on subscriptions from its mem the Female Domestic Service Or-thermore, most of the parents of ful deal should be liable to a heavy | bers. Some time ago we started dinance of 1923. What the Asso- tho mui tagi will be willing to take | fine. ciation most sincerely desires is that all owners of mui tsai should | register the latter at the Secre tariat for Chinese Affairs, and also | fix the amount of wages to be paid, to mui taxi.

for ever.

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their daughter's back provided they. have the consent of the owners.

Other good points of the regis tration will be:

(1) To obtain the exact number of muí Lani.

(2) To prevent secret buying and selling of girls.

(3) To decrease the kidnapping ev!).

We hope to abolish the whole mui taat system in 12 years, by providing that registered mui tsai will be given full freedom on reaching the age of 18.

It will be recalled that some time ago, I, for one, belleved that the registration of mui taai could be postponed, for on the 14th of | April, 1922, the Secretary for (4) To enable us to enforce the Chinese Affairs prohibited the Domestic Servants Ordinance of purchasing and using of mui trai, 1923 ani minko this law more Meanwhile the Magistracy display- | effectivo. ed severity in the impnalug of sentences for cruelty to mui tani by master For mistress. The effect of all this was that the ma- jority of these who possessed mui Laai took precautions, and showed Now it is clear why registration consideration in their treatment. should be enforced. It in under We then believed that this in-stood that to put this into effect human system would be abandon- will involve considerable work and ed once and for all, and that it time, but, gentlemen, the roward might not be necessary for the As- of our work will be the freedom sociation to continue to function of the thousands of young girls any longer.

who are now under bond. It is therefore proposed to petition the Government, and we hope this will have the support of you all."

Unfortunately, the outcome was not what we expected, and recont ly it has been reliably learned that | the practice of the system la con- tinuing in Chinese circles, with the exception, perhaps, that the owners exercised some discretion. Despite these deplorable reports, we have comforted ourselves with the belief that the practice having been in force for many years in the past, could not be discarded In such a short time.

Effect of Propaganda,

|

Proposed Petition.

Annual Report.

means

each donated $60 to the Society's funds. The expenditure of the

Society is rather small, since we have only to pay for advertise- ments, printing, and some station. cry. However, the work of the Society is decidedly burdensome, and it is up to you to see it through; therefore whether we can achieve our object of getting| rid of this inveterate social evil depends on how you will respond. to the appeal voiced by us now.

The Discussion.

The chairman invited discussion on the proposals be had outlined in his opening address in regard to the registration of bath mut-trai and adopted daughters.

observer present.

papere.

The latter have replied, denying that the tenour of their articles has been so influenced.-Reuters. American Service,

That Transvaal Vote.

Johannesburg, Oct. 19.

It is impossible positively to die- prove the allegation that Mr.

4 semi-official American cup for the Girl Guides." The Versailles Treaty fixed the reparatione at £8,650,000,000 but

HONOUR FOR EDISON. Hoover, the American presidential candidate, voted in the Transvaal the Dawes Plan reduced them ten-

olection foara ago. tatively to £2,500,000,000.

Mr. Parker Gilbert favours a further reduction.-Router.

Bush as Hon. English Secretary. The post was a responsible one, and Mr. G G Anderson, who recently resigned from it owing to pressure of business, deserved the thanks of the Society for the able manner in which he had filled it.

FIFTY YEARS OF ELECTRIC LIGHT CELEBRATED.

Now York, Ook, 21: The former Ambassador to Lon- don, Mr. A. B. Houghton, has been nominated a Republican Senator for New York-Reuter's American Service.

FOSSILS RETURNED.

The Secretary to the Mayor laua replied to the query from Now York that all records of the Muni- Washington, Oct. 21, cbpal Election of the time mention- a nation-wide tribute which is be- Reuter.

President Coolidge has joined in ed were destroyed long ago— ing broadcast on the occasion of Mr. Houghton Nomed. the nftieth anniversary of Mr. T. A. Edison's inventing the in- candescent electric lamp.

Mr. Mellon has presented Mr. Mr. J.D. Bush was unanimously appointed Hon. English, Secretary, Edison with a Congressional medal and Mr. Ngan, Hon Chinese struck in his honour.

The original electric lamp is Secretary. the Chairman said it was their un--Rester's American Service.

Before the meeting terminated, now in South Kensington Museum,

animous hope that the aims of the Society would soon be realised, and he urged the newly-elected members of the Committed to do their best to bring this about. The mui-teni nystem had existed in their midst as an ovit. It was always condemn. ed and put out of the law by the Chinese Nationalist Government in a recent edict and he hoped that the Government of this colony which had bean rosponsible for many bene falling inte line and dealing with a practice which admittedly had, many evil,

JOHN I.

GERMAN AVIATOR.

PLANS TO FLY ACROSS PACIFIC TO SEATTLE.

Tokyo, Oct. 21. Baron von Huenefeld is making preparations for a flight across the Pacific to Seattle, via the Aleutian

ANDREWS EXPEDITION GETS POSSESSION OF CASES.

Peiping, Oct. 21..

The cases belonging to the Andrews Expedition were handed over to Mr. Roy Chapman Andrews yesterday after they had been opened and examined by a repre

repaired and Baron von Huensfeldent. The fossils will be sent to is expected to hop off on the 28th America provided duplicates are

left in China-Reuter.

or 29th of this month.-Reuter.

THORNYCROFT

THE LEADING EXPONENTS

of

ECONOMICAL ROAD

& Co LIMITED.

TRANSPORT

to collect the subscription for this year, but the results wore poor and rather disheartening. Thanks to The annual report of the Anti- the generosity of Dr. Ma Luk and Mrs. Fung Heung-chuen, our Mut Thai Society was then read by Toria were rewarded, for they ficial reforms would not be long in Islands. The "Europa" da being sentative of the National Govern- Mr. K. Y. Ngan. He aald:

Ladies and gentlemen, your pre- sence at this meeting to-day has Alled us all with extreme pleasure, and I am sure your showing up here now proves the very deep in. terest and concern you always en- tertain in the exuse and affairs of this Society. Since the general meeting we convened in July of last year, more than a year has clapsed; but I am glad to say that all the time those on the cam- wittee lihve done their very heat in carrying on the work of the So- eiety and, above all, in promoting its worthy cause; and what they have dans may partly have been ovinced by reports in newspapers, while part of it had to be kept secret and confidential when cir cumstances ao required. We 'al- A member said that they should ways take to heart the heavy bur-enforca registration through a penal- den on our shoulders and at the ty clause and be pointed out that same time bear in mind the hard such had been overlooked in the conditions

of the muf traf. Infailure to register within to pro.

proposals. He suggested this you will join us in showing scribed period of six months bo sympathy.

I regret to say that we have not followed by the giving of completa penalised" by a heavy fine, to be succeeded in influencing the Gov-freedom to the girls without such ernment to put through the regis- consideration as compensation to tration of mui teat with the proper the owner. authorities, and consequently this cursed system has not yet been wiped out from the commuafly. (1) After the announcement of Reports of crucity and ill-treat- the registration law all mui teniment to mui tani are no less often should be registered within six | heard than before. As our at

tempt failed at the eradication of this evil, we have now directed our efforts to cope with it by way of diminishing the individual cases of cruelty. We have advertised in two vernacular papers to the

The authorities had displayed a effect that all suppressed mui teat praiseworthy attitude when they co- who have been badly treated by operated with mombora of the S.P. their masters or mistresses may tions. He recalled that quite re- C.A. in these personal investiga appeal to this Society and makecently, tady members of that Society the complaint to the chairman, went round to the various bird-shops who would then bring their in the town to look into cases of grievances before the Government cruelty and that they were on that and have them redressed. The occasion accompanied by a police may state their offeer. If the same procedure was

adopted in their own members of the Anti-Multani Society were allowed to recompany a police officer in order to investigato fully a report of cruelty, much of the ob joatiunable features to which refer- enos was made by the Chairman in his speech would" oarse.

The proposed petition to the Government, and the proposed draft regulations governing the registration of mui tsai, were then announced, aa follows:

Registration Regulations (mui taai).

Andher member said that much effective work could be accomplished by personal investigation as in the ease of the Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Animals. He dis covered a similarity in the work of die two Bociotics with the exception that theirs had the greater olaim to official backing, in the fact that it was a human being whose life's burden they were scoking to lighten.

case, and

We decided to give the owners months' timme. of mui tsof the opportunity to

(2) The deeds providing for the abandon their old habits gradual-bondage of the girls should be ten- ly, and simultaneously the Society dered to and destroyed by the did its utmost to disseminate pro- Socretory for Chinese Affairs, who paganda in newapapers and other in turn should give the master or directions, to enlighten the public mistress another form, giving him on the many evlis pertaining to the or her rights over the mui taai. system. The propaganda in some

(8) Both the master and the cases produced wonderful results, mus fani should personally attend and succeeded in bringing justice at the registration offen during to those mui taat who were the registration, when it should be treated, whilst in other cases they explained to the master that in were able to go back to their future he would have to treat the parents.

girls as ordinary servants. Mean- complainanta Though the Society has all the while, it would give the mui tani namca and addresses, which the time continued with its work, some the opportunity to understand Society will undertake to keep years have elapsed and the much-her future position, and the treat-confidential. At this juncture, I disapproved of system continues ment she may expect to receive | have the pleasure to mention that unhampered. What is most regret from her master,

the expenses involved in such ad- table is that the number of mui (4) The owner should report to vertising for the whole year have tsai, who have personally come to the Secretary for Chineno Affairs been defrayed through the gen- the Society giving reports of at any time if a mui taai is leaving erosity of Dr. Mn Luk, to whom 'cruelty showa an increase.

the Colony, if she is going to our hearty thanks are due,

Election of Committee, In addition, every month there marry, or she reaches the age of are lettere addressed to the So-18, when she may seeuro her full

After further discussion it was clety Informing us of many case

agreed to incorporate this suggestion of ill-treatment of this class of (5) In case any mut taal should | and appeal to the public has not well as the one for a penalty. unfortunate souls. Most of these happen to pass through and stay been in vain, and has carried its clause, in the main body of pro- Ietters fall to give the names and Hongkong for over two weeks, weight wonderfully. From time posals. In their revised form, the addresses of the inconsiderata the master or mistress should re-to time we have received reports proposals were then put to the master and mistress, thus the So-port the fact to the Secretary for from complainants calling for our giving full powers to the Executive meeting and passed, the mooting olety has not been able to take any leaves the Colony, should report never failed to come to their as

Chinese Affairs, and when the girl help, and in reaponso we havo Committed to present them at the effective steps.

Now we have all come to the the fact to the same office. For sistance. Among these wo, may proper time before the authorities. realisation that if we do not pati- those of the mu tent who stay in mention those who have been freedtion of the Society, which had beng The revised Articles of Constitu- on the Government to enforce Hongkong for over a month, the and returned to the custody of in the hands of members for some registration of mui tant, the ays- master or mistress should give her their parenta without being re- tinie, were also passed. tem will most certainly continue. up to the Po Leung Kuk, awaiting quired to give a refund to their

The election of members of the In other words if the Society fails the coming of the girl's parents to masters or mistreknes. These are Excutive Committee was then pro- In carrying out this movement, our

claim her.

the daughter of Foon Fung Lin, canded will and some 30 members work of the past six or

(6) Wages should be fixed for the daughter of Mrs, Kan, and Lau were appointed, The Chairman pro years can be said to have been the mud teat, as follows. From 12 | Chol-ying. There have been some posed the appointment of Mr. J.D.

вотел

freedom.

Not in Vain. This advertising of our cause

HONGKONG OFFICE,

UNION BUILDING, 5th. Floor.

THORNYCROFT

PASSENGER OMNIBUSES

AND

MOTOR FREIGHT VEHICLES

Write us and our representative will call. Telephone Central 4881,

DEAL DIRECT.

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J.