1929-11-08 — Page 10

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THEATRE ROYAL

HONGKONG.

Dancing Display

BY THE PUPILS OF

Miss DAISY O'KEEFE.

Under the distinguished Patronage of His Excellency The Governor

SIR CECIL AND LADY CLEMENTI.

Part of the proceeds to be given to Local Charities

#

To be held

at 9.15 p.m.

BOOKING AT ANDERSON'S. «

THE HONGKONG “ TELEGRAPH. FRIDAY, NOVEMBER ·8, · 1929.

MUI TSAI PROBLEM.

of tho Anti-Multsai Society as to the number of mui-tsai in Hong kong to be correct, the newspaper article does not contain the vaguest suggestion as to what could be done with the alleged ten thou- saud young girls if they could be

(b) There would be a great | patch No. 251 of the 16th of May.

2. The question is by no mouns temptation to corruption if a systematic drive of the Colony for a new one. It attracted the atten

of registration woration of my predecessors, Mr. purposes

Churchill and the Duke of Devon. attempted.

shire, and also of the House of Comtego as far back as 1922. În

SALE OF WORK,

UNION CHURCH WOMEN'S GUILD'S OFFERINGS.,

¡Continued from Page 0.) of. You mayIt is constantly alleged that mui-tsai are a regular source of recruitment for prostitu. I discovored and could be proved to to be mudo effective, and such reply to a question in the House who sto looking out for pretty things

tion," and you ask whether any further safeguard against this can bo introduced. It is vory neces sary to state emphatically that the mai-taci system is not a regular source of recruitment for prostitu- of such tion. The usual source recruitment is among poor faml. lies, which in times of distress will sell female children to traf fickers from whom they pass into the hands of women who train the children with the object of their

ba mui-tsai and were taken away from their employers.

ac-

(e) Very drastic powers would he required, if registration were

un powers would be intensely popular.

of Commons Mr. Churchill staten

found that, although on occasion power of entry and search would guardian of as many as one hundred girls have

such

To suit the convenience of those

in a reply which was communicat. for Christmas gifts, the Women's 12. This brings me to the ques- (d) Registration would be very ed to your predecessor in a tele- Guild have fixed the date of their not gram of 31st of March, 1922: Annual Sals of Work for this Satur- tion of the number of mul-tsaf sub- unsatisfactory, if persons poaed to be in Hongkong and to domiciled in the Colony were ex desire to make it clear that both day, November 9th. The Sale will: domicile the Governor and 1 are determined bo opened by Mrs. J. Hornge John- your enquiry whether "In the un-empted, partly because likely event of mui-tsai leaving is often so dificult to determine, to affect the abolition of the

many system at the earliest practicable ston at 3 p... the President, Mrs. their houses as a result of any and partly because se

David Harvey, occupying the chair. date, and I have Indieated to the measures taken," it is quite im- Chinese are not domiciled here..

Army of Inspectors.

Governor that expect the change The Women's Guild have been possible to supplement the

(e) The daily ebb and flow of to be carried out within a year"."

working all through, the year in pre- commodation in the Po Lenng Kuk

In pursuance of this policy by temporary arrangements. In population across the frontiers of the first place I may explain that. Hongkong, both by land and water in Ordinance was passed on theparation for the Sale. Sometimes

estimated at between five and six becoming

prostitutes. Mai-tsai drastie action were taken by

thousand each way, and the con-45th of February, 1923 untitled more than a score of willing work- are by training not suited for use the Hongkong Government with as prostitutes. The sale of a girl respect to registration of mut-taas, to be a mui-tsai has indeed the and it did in fact lead to a large atant movement of the population "The Female Domestic Servico ers have gathered at their weekly from number of mui-taci leaving their within the Colony, both to and Ordinance, 1928. The arst part towing parties, while other associate effect of protecting, her

her muster and homes it would be completely im- from the Island and the mainland, of this Ordinance negatived the idee members have worked in their own prostitution as mistress retain her services for possible for the Po Leung Kuk to present difficulties which ean that rights of property in a female homes. There is now, ws, under- domestic purposes

of inspectors with the widest person by payment to the parent or great variety, calculated to tempt and would accommodate them. I inspected hardly be exaggerated. An army child could be conferred on a third stand, a fine collection of goods ot child. The the lovers of what is useful and guard her from the wiles of this institution on the 8th May, and

should work stalls, with plains and fancy Nov., disposed persons. Aful-tsai are

be required to enforce registra second part amongst other things artistic." Besides the usual needle attached to the SATURDAY, 9th Nov..

more closely

his employ articles, there is to be a "Dollar family than are hired servants, been accommodated there, this was tion and heavy expenditure would provided that no person

be incurred to little or no purposo. hereafter. take into

(f) The parents of a mui-tsai ment any mai-tsai, and forbade the Stall," with miscellaneous attrac und they cannot so easily be de only possible by very great over- coyed away without enquiries be-crowding, and that normally even. ing set on foot. As a rule, chil-with a complement of fifty girls the are usually satisfied with her transference of an existing multions all at the one price. A Toy as Institution is undesirably full,. Iaituation, and the child herself is tant from one employer to another. Stall, whare some English-made toys If affect were given to these will be found, is another anticipation dren acquired for training prostitutes are not employed as know of no temporary arrangements usually content with her position domestic servants. They are gen-which could be made for accommo- and quite prepared to co-operate provisions, it is clear that the of Christmas needs for parents, as deception necessary tomui-tsui being only recruited frons wolf as an appeal to youthful pat- those brought into the Colony rons. The children are in fact well erally taught to sing and to play dating a large number of young in any Mah Jong and to act as enter. girls in this Colony. The Chinese avoid registration.

from outside should steadily decatored for, because besides the Bran-Tub with its perennial chara tainers at restaurants and in community could certainly not be

crease in numbers. China large numbers of these expected to "assist in such circum-

Part of the Ordinance for the tiny-teta, thero will be girls, who are known as "guitar stances, and I do not suppose that

17. You enquire whether an addi- provided for the registration ins. Fitch for cocoa-nuts in the grounds "Aunt Sally" for girls," may be seen frequenting the Anti Muitsai Society would restaurants, where they are calledbe at all helpful. It is not possible tion should be made to Paragraph pection and control of mai-tsui,utside and an to amuse customers at dinner. It to say what the exact number or 4 of the Ordinance, providing that and forbade under penalty any youngsters of more aggressive in: should be clearly understood that even the approximate number of

To Help the Manse. the mai-tsai is only one variety of mul-tsat in this Colony may be; mui-tsui may be brought into person having in his employment utinets.

These site shows will purchased child; and it is of but I have been very definitely as the Colony for services in that an unregistered mui-sui, Fur course, very necessary, if the prac sured by the leaders of the Chin-capacity. I fear that such a con- ther, it was laid down that tice of sale and purchase of chil- ese community that the number isdition, it made, would be complete person shout have in his employ- dren is to be suppressed, that the rot increasing, but is diminish ueftretive. It would be quite the any male domestic servant under the charge of the Union impossible to detect mai-tsa on under the age of ten years unless Church Young People's Society, Wax a registered which has been asked to co-operate activities of all professional traf ing.

13. It must be remembered that arrival in the Colony, except by such servant fiekers should be curtailed in every

"Whito Elephant" Stall. This possible way. This is the aim of the Po Leung Kuk is not so much accident; and after arrival, in the mai-tsai, and that every mui-tsa; in the effort. The Young People's means, of course, a stall for articlos the Hongkong Government acting a home as a temporary refuge, Colony the inquisition necessary over the age of ten years should Society has also undertakent a through the department of the Sewhere girls can remain until they for detection of a newly arrived be entitled to such wages for her cretary for Chinese Affairs and are restored to their relatives. It ani-tsai would be as difficult as services as shall be prescribed.

the pase of those

5. In view, however, of the re-which, the owner is rendy, enough to who resident means of the Police. But in prac would be quite impossible to obtain in

here for presentations of the Governor part with hut someone else might be tich is proved very difficult to additional accommodation for this had been

it might incluile books that have deal effectively with these traf- purpose, and many girls of the years. Such a provision. If en to the opposition of the Chinese equally ready to buy. For example, fickers, deportation being as a rule class now kept at the Po Leung acted, would almost certainly be a pupulation to the Enactment gen-been read, gramophone records got

rally, and particularly the only ramedy. As regards fur Kuk have no home or relatives' to dead letter. ther safeguards in this respect, go to, and something in the nature

18. You enquire also whether, ill, the Duke of Devonshire in his ting too familiar, a camera no longer thing lying idle which could still be girls is stopped in China, nothing would be required, for their accom- cannot be prevented, it is to be wrote: oneur in your sugges used. It would seem to be quite nu: unless the buying and selling of of a school, or ever a reformatory, if the Importation of fresh mui-tsei despatch of the 2nd of May, 192sed. n good doll outgrown, or any en be done in Hongkong which modation. At present orphanages understond that effective abolition tion thate question of registraexcellent idea for patrons of the

will riccept A will have much effect. The only and

of the systeur in Hougkong must tion and of payment of wages may Sale to encourage this exchange. of this effectual safeguard is to. enlist the limited number of girls co-operation of the Chinese com- kind, but even now it biten han-wait until that importation ceases, f be left in abeyance for the pre-and barter business by bringing

PRICES: $3.00, $2.00 & $1.00

Children, Soldiers and Sailors half price to all seats.

CARNIVAL

REPULSE

BAY HOTEL.

Saturday, 9th November from 8.30 p.m. to 12 m.n.

$4 p

per head including dinner.

ARMISTICE DAY SPECIAL TIFFIN

Repulse Bay Hotel Orchestra in attendance from I p.m. to 2.30 p.m.

Usual Dinner Dansant from 8.30 p.m. to 12 m.h.

The Hongkong & Shanghai Hotels, Ltd.

pose of acquiring a

of

other on

convents

(g) It would be very dificult to secure persons qualified to make the necessary inquisition.

4.

the opinion sent, and

River.

to Part

is no reason to believe that the

has increased.

IL

ho

number of mui-taai in the Colony This altruistic effort to meet the

Fund

the

the

no vacancies; and, if the number advisers, effective abolition seems dinance should not be brought into by exposing any cases which may

except by impossible

gradual operation unless and until it is

A feature of every well regulated come to light.

of homeless girls increases to any

6. It now appears. however, Sale is the Refreshment Depart- 10. Another preliminary point extent the problem of their dra-education: of the Chinese com-shown to be necessary."

munity on this subject and by that I may here deal with is, the posaf and the difficulty of super slow, but constant, pressure and that after six years from the mont, and those who like home

passing of the

'Ordinance" inde dainties or folk with a weak- allegation to which you draw my vising them will be extremely

by discouragement of the system

can be said news for "dropped scones" taunlly attention, in a leading article in serious

in every possible way. The prae- the most that the South China Morning Post of 11. You enquire what is the flee will probably never entirely (vide paragraph 6 of your despatch fall on their feet if they stumble' the Gth February. 1929, that the legal position under the Female disappear from this Colony unless of 23rd of February) is that there into a Union Church Ten. Secretary for Chinese Altairs as Domestic Service Ordinance, No 1 and until China really gives it up.

But where is all the money to go! sists in the recovery of the pur- of 1923, of the mui-tsai acquired colours all the Chinese popular chase price in the case of mai-tsai,

You also ask outside this Colony and inported tion that lows into Hongkong. It

7. After making all allowance for wants of the public ought to result who have run away.

observations for my

since the enactment of the Ordin would be as hard to free Hongkong the difficulties in bringing the syg-in the Women's Guild finding a nice their hands. allegations in the same article. In ance, whether their employers a from it as to keep a space clear oftem to an end which are described sum of money in reply I may say that it has for company them or are already re-mud at the mouth of the Canton at length in your despatches, it is There is an end in view, of course. ny duty to inform you that public The Church and Manse Building and some time been the settled policy aident in the "Colony. Pam advis

19. Finally, you refer to a pro- opinion in this country and in the Furnishing Fund is to reap of the Hongkong, Government noted, in reply to this question, that to assist any person in any way Sections 4 and 5 of the Ordinanceclamation, advertising the rights House of Commons will not accept profit. Towards this to recover money paid for the pur apply only to acquisition within of mui-trai, issued in 1922, and en such a result with equanimity, and Women's Guild have promised to do mui-taci, the Colony, It is impossible quire whether any similar pro- that I feel myself quite unable to their best to raise about three Cases have occurred in the past make acquisition in China an climation has been issued subso-defend a policy of laissez faire in thousand dollars in two yeara-a brave venture that deserves support. in which individual officers, in offence. Sections 6 to 1 of the quently, and you ask whether it this serious matter cluding magistrates, have adopted Ordinance apply to all mui-tsal would not be practicable to issue

8. I must, therefore, direct that a different practice in order to within the, Colony, wherever and such proclamations regularly, or the third part of the Domestic Ser- punish deliberate "Frauti. The whenever acquired. If Part III of The General Electric Co. of China, Ltd. Chinese committee

even to have notices permanently vice Ordinance should be brought the Ordinance were brought into displayed bringing home to mai into force forthwith, and special Leung Kuk, under the influence of force, registration would be re- tsai their rights of personal free-care must be taken to Inform the Chinese custom, and actuated also by a desire to secure fair treat-quired of all mui-tsai, whenever dom. I find that ro, proclamation population generally that it is in has been issued on this subject force, and that it will not be allow- ed to be dead letter. You should ment, has frequently arranged for entering the Colony.

15. I have so far deelt in this since the proclamation of April also at once proceed to make Re the repayment of money paid to

a trapsla-gulations under Section 12 of the

Wuchow, Nov. 5. secure the services of a mui-trai; despatch with the 4th, 6th, 8th, 9th 14th, 1922, which was but in such cases the child was and 10th paragraphs of your teletion in Chinese of the proclama Ordinance for the keeping of the

Chan Ming-shu arrived yester-" not left in the custody of her em gram, which aim at elucidating tion suggested in my predecessor's Registers, for the remuneration of player, but kept in the Po Leung facts and removing misconcep- telegram of March 28th, 1922, but mut-tsai, and for their inspection day by the Yunnan aeroplane. kuk until the vendor had returned tions. I now turn those I have now issued another procla- and control. It will be doubtless "Golden Horse", piloted by the the money claimed under false paragraphs in your telegram, mnation of which 1 enclose a copy necessary for you to appoint addi-Chief of the Yunnanese Aviation pretences. I consider, however, which aim at devising some and which I shall cause to be per- tional officers in the Department of Service, General Lau, that such procedure cannot be method of further reform.

manently displayed at police the Secretary of Chinese Affairs to that an official should feel reluct-with respect to registration. You steamer wharves and other public and Inspection.

Chinese places. ant to allow himself to be made will observe that the

Announcement

In order to avoid disappointing our many cus- tomers, we wish to give publicity to the terms under which we are permitted to sell wireless apparatus.

The following is an extract from the Hongkong Government Gazette, dated July 26, 1929, which appears under the heading.

"Regulations made by the Governor in Council under section three (1) of the Wireless Telegraphy. Ordinance, 1926.Ordinance No. 11 of 1926, on the 18th day of July, 1929.

Clause 3

FORM No. 4 DEALER'S LICENSE

"The Liconsee shall not sell; hire or otherwise dis- pose of the licensed apparatus or any part thereof to any person for use in this Colony unless such person produces a valid license granted by the Post Master General and authorising the use by such person of the apparatus involved.”

Please Remember Your

2, Queen's Buildings.

Licence.

Tolophone 0. 518.

to

justified, even though it is natural 16. I take first the proposa! stations and, if possible, ot carry out the work of registration

AN AERIAL SMASH.

THE "GOLDEN HORSE" IN A CRASH.

This morning an unfortunate accident happened to the "Golden 9. Further, I consider that Part II Horse." Just after taking off with

an instrument to assist in the per-authorities, in the regulations 20. This Government will die of the Ordinance should be amend- four persons, and while only about

petration of a fraud, and I have made by them on the 1st March, its utmost to bring

the ed so as to forbid the bringing into one hundred feet in the air, some the Colony of any mui-teal. There thing went wrong and the aero- given definite orders to the execut 1927, required the rexistration of institution of muf-tsai to an tive officers of the government and to the Directora of the Po all mui-tsai existing at that time.end within the Colony as soon as can be the less objection to such a plane crashed, suffering extensive. of while General Lau way considerably Leung Kuk that the practice must These regulations. however, have it is practicable to do so. We provision inasmuch as I learn from damage. All were badly shaken up,

remained a dead letter. The shall give the most earnest con- your despatch that the status he entirely abandoned.

ting his admittance into Hospital. in China. 4 11. As regards the other points longkong Government, on the sideration to any practical pro-mui-teai has been abolished by law bruised about the body, necessita- 10. I fully realise that time Upon examination there, it was in the article of the South China other hand, while enacting Tart posals, which may be put forward

be will

required

make found that he was suffering from to Morning Post to which you refer, III of the Female Domestic Service to that end; but we consider that,

but I a wrenched shoulder and back Law effective, I may observe that the article Ordinance, No. 1 of 1923, which unless effective steps are taken by the

ата "not prepared to acquiesce while a large bruise was found on inores the difficulties of enforc-provides for registration of mui | the Chinese authorities to abolish ing registration. It also

the in fact, and not merely on paper, in a merely nominal enforcement of his head, where he had evidently makes trai, determined to suspend the common mistake of assuming operation of that part of the the multani system "as it now the Law. Any offence against the landed when he fell from the plane. to light The Intest Information from the the results of registration. For Ordinance until circumstances exists in China and especially in Ordinance which comes example, it implies that registra-permitted its actual enforcement. the Kwangtung province, it will should be made the subject of pro- Hospital states that General Lau.

ofsecution without regard to the posi- was resting enstlý. tion would somehow give the goy-This, it seems to me, was the more not be possible, by means ernment information as to cases of honest course; and I am entirely legislation or by bringing Into tion of the offender and a full Re-

The cause of the unfortunate cruelty. It is, moreover, grossly opposed to, any schemes of legisla force Part III of the Female port should be furnished every six misleading to say,

Domestic Service Ordinance, No. months on the working of the Or- as did the cive "eyewash". The objections in South China Morning Post, that

been ascertained. It appears that tion of mai-tsai in this Colony." taken under it. "If a mui-tsai runs away, anyone practice to any ayatem of registra. 1 of 1923, to accelerate the aboli-dinance and of the proceedings accident to the "Golden Horse" has 11. Whilst feeling bound by the a substitute pilot took the place of who shelters her is liable to be artion of mii-teut are as follows:

(a) The practical Impossibility

traditional policy of this country in the regular pilot, who was . It rested and charged with harbour of proving that any particular girl ing." The reference is presum-

savours of slavery to take steps for a scouting expedition. The plane ably to Section 18 (1) (b) of Or- is a mui-taai, except in occasional FINAL INSTRUCTIONS, regard to any institution that was proposed to fly to Kweilin on the abolition of the mui-tsai system rose easily, but in making the turn dinance No. 4 of 1897. Every pro- cases where the facts ure-lo- advertently admitted or come to

notwithstanding any opposition into head north, the pilot turned too secution under this, section re-

Laissez Faire Not Tolerated.

Later,

the Colony, I need hardly remind quickly, with the result that the you of the desirability of enlisting machine plunged to earth, throwing as far as possible Chinese opinion General Lau out of the plane in favour of the change. This will

quires the consant of the Secre- light accidentally. The girl het Policy of tary for Chinese Affairs, and his self may be of little or no use as consent would of course, not be witness for this purpose. The Kiven without adequate reason. problem is to prove that a payment

be the less dificult since it is clear Anyone who kidnaps a mul-that in was made, perhaps years ago and

from your despatch that the beat the Royal Society for the order to sell her, perhaps for pefliaps in China. Even then the

opinion in China Itself is opposed to Prevention of Cruelty to Child- prostitution, la liable to be ar defendant may set up the defence

the institution as is evidenced by ren in this country, and I should be reated and charged, and rightly that the case was one of adoption.. se; but not a person who harbours If no payment is proved, the defen

the Law which has been passed glad to learn what progress has

been made in this d a runaway mui-tsaf from motives dant may allege that the girl is of benevolence. Anyone who sold daughter. Friends and neigh-

12. 1 alao strongly approve of the

13. It is my intention to lay the amui-teci to a brothel would be bours will not come forward, even

Sir, have had under my con-proposals made in your telegram of prosecuted under the Protection of if they know. No critic of the sideration the correspondence re- the 3rd of March for the institu- correspondence on this subject bo- Society in Hong-fore Parliament as soon re- Women and Girls Ordinance of Hongkong Government has ever lating to the mui-teat question iron of a 1897, If there were any evidence suggested

the same lines as assembles..! a. solution to this

Hongkong ending with your des- kong on at all. Again, assuming the guess problem.

REGISTRATION ORDERED.

The final instructions of the Secretary of State are contained in the following despatch. doted abolishing it. August 22nd:

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