CLOSED UNTIL
No. 82759 (Part I)
Hong Kong
SUBJECT.
Tsai System
(Resolutions and unrespondence with private individuals
Previous
72759/30
Co 129/532/4
Subsequent
Part II.
85065 780/13 5,000 7/48 N.M.Ltd.
1 Salvation Army
Request.
two copies of
publication (? 22 on 4/2458)
Trance & Stationcy Rice LF
G. C. Mills
2 To, Stationery Office (w// in org.) 0/10 -
8 JAN 1931
3 Haslewor
the. China
Cuttings from the.
Post anteil by thx 28
Ido Mornay
Anti Slavery. & Ab. Protection Sty.
Submits obene
Goor. Report.
5° Anti Slavery
Ab. Prot. Sty
Wish to se a caky of (3) on 41458/30
6. Lt. Joans Social Political Allhamd
Sebenets oberno
Cand Johor 3735.
The file is stile in circulation.
to C that tem
despital in questern has
not been published.
G. C. Mean
(4) isquires
achu. Better
my a cofy will be rent to the Yr.
und in spy Lt.
J. A. Calder
Yes - Never in a fair way
Muitor-cut
to suppes Muitor _ but as
bority is beginning
to discour
the same wit of thing will
to love under
such as adopted dougsteus.
the Chiness.
cannot do it unles
change the suture of
Referfone-
Welter P. Whi
G.3.15.431
28/12.30
7 To, Mrs. Haslewood - (Bunsa.)
8 To $5.8 4.P. Jory. (Hundd.)
(Hon. Key)
To $.-J.§.&. P. Jory. - (Sunset.)
DESTROYED UNDER STATUTEarly. Mey.)
7 FEB 1931
7 FEB 1931
7 FEB 1931
To It. Joan's, Soct. & Political Allee - (bansd.)
DESTROYED UNDER STATUTE
% 11. 2005.45. ( w/ 4.) All
12 Guildhouse Women Celsen. Slij
a resolution.
7 FEB 1931
9 FEB 1931
بر ایک کر
L. G. W. Cetizens Saulis
DEESRBIEM UNDER STATUTE
(12 anos)
butting from China Overland Grade Report 1/1/3/
15 League. If Nation Unwor
Desere information
praction regarding
the present
remuneration.
4. inspection of suitsui, and also
actorties of the the Protection of
As preds
Society for
kemunaction the
the second
in 62758A
But send
been done.
си своите
Good for
that this has
Q.C.Rils
to have all the material
I necessary
to reply to them.
Refly quoting 7 with it's footnote 18 of the Regulations in (28" ; my that the
actual bringing to notice of abse
suspected
il-treatment
vest in the main on societies such as
Anti-Mui-Trai loristy, the lonisty for the Protection of children, the Ps Leung Kick, the halvation Armyctor, but the regulations give the Gort. umple fewer to conduct the necessary investigations; var regards the lociety for of children may - full account of its first years with was published in the H. K. papers
Jest Jan 1931.
the Protection
J. A. Calder.
Yes the meggested rifly
adequation
stores ad.
1620 578.5 Union (15 and )
14 Ante. Slavery? Abor Bot: Seat;
Request to be allowed
a copy of (1)
? Send them
82455/31
copy of (1) on 82758/11,
the desf-referred t
1.1.12210.3.31
J. A. Calder
I also subm it off letter to its Campbell
on Do Shiels' instructions. I spoke to you
about this
1.2. Zartin 19.3.31
18 Minute Gz 12 Morris, covering extract from
Berk olure Chronicle of 2018 Zarch 1931.
I attach an additional draft accordingly
(a letter which Dr.Somerville Hastings might send to
the Berkshire Chronicle).
Dr. Somerville Hastings' Question might be
in the following form:-
"To ask whether the attention of the Secretary
of State for the Colonies has been called to a state-
ment made at a recent meeting presided over by the
Right Honourable Member for Sfan Valley to the effect
that slavery is condoned by Hong Kong and that the re
are some 10,000 child slaves owned by the Chinese in
being done
separatels
the Colony, and, if so, whether the statement is true and what action H... proposes to take
in the matter".
Lord Kinnoull's Cuestion in the House
of Lords would presumably be in similar terms.
Dr Shiels
as no 18.
1.1. Tootin 26.3.31
G. G. 21.3.31
minute registered
As Lord Kinnoull also wants to raine the matter in the Lords,
perhaps the draft of the letter to New Campbell M.P. the suggested
should be submitted to
the S.AS.
P. H. Moris
I agree! Three copies of this to be made - two for the Campbell (who is sending one to Lady Simion) and one for the "The Vote". Today if possible! TBS. 23.3.31
I have read the terms of the proposed P.Q.. to New Mathers, who will
communicate them to Dr Flastings and Lord Kinnoull.
PH Monis
19 20 W. S. Stastings (1) lettis) _ 21 March 1931,
E. J. Campbell
- E.J. Compbell (14/20)
23 March 1931,
Aciss (16) which es
23 Ths. Ants- Slavery "A.P. Sty
Corranderatusi
reply sad seen.
Enquire whether
Received rom the Lov, when the questions
Pay that
has not yet
24 St. Jeans S& D. Allrame
Tas risolutions which were passed
20th Ammal meeting
Schwricht pests.
No Mloans S&P Alliance
DESTROYED UNDER STATUTE
26 Miss Cholmeley
Desue. hither details regarding
inspection.
• registration
Mui Tsui.
27 Mr. Stachée
resolution Lassed at
Recent meeting of the National Comnul d. Wohnen
Off T Mor Stachée
DESTROYED UNDER STATUTE
G. Mather
Lady Simon's speech
Requesti return the haver sent
30 Nat ll of. S. for Equal Citizenship
Ins resolution passed at the Annual Councel Meeting.
zy To Mom Hud
30. Anad
31 Pamphlet
Sheld. Slavery
King Kong
32 Ch. Staslewood
Submits inter alia
that the inspection
& control
Carried out.
of Mur-Thai has not
33 Gov 82
Irs obsons
Container
the allegations
42759/30
Mo Duncan
Mi Norris' minute on
green ship
attacked to 31.
adovic use? Bpk.
7.2. Zartin 30.3.31
Mr Bushe.
We discussed this.
The letters to Low Passpeld and D. Shists Of the 29th 27th March respretunk an prossly impertinent, hat dam quite clear theat the host couse is to ignore them.
It might of course in technically possible to
take proceed up for libel; but, in the cricumstances any action of that
Kind would In most undescialle
and mowni.
The allegation that the orous firm Etter British Comment on August 22 1929 ham not here camed out butter Itone Kone forement (see the wows haderlined in No. 31) is apparently
hot in any case it work
not in pomitle to Ottain an
injunction
to prevent statements of this kind.
11. Duncan.
before seen letters -
I have veree
Such teemo addressed ló
a mittister Ithaleron
To Anti Slavey Pority From St. Comes & Mrs Hashenome Hy L delats 28 Mart
DESTROYED UNDER STATU
An action for libel is quite out of the
question
It is just what Lieutenant Commander
Hazlewood would like. He would brief Sir John Simon
and plead justification not without some hope of
success.
In the mean time the papers would be full
of headings "Labour Government appeals to Courts
to stifle criticism. As regards the letters they
are impertinent und I think on that ground should
be left unanswered. Even if they were temperately
worded I would not reply argumentatively. It is not
the business of the Secretary of State to discuss
his policy and particularly his declarations
in Parliament with any citizen who chooses to write
Parliament is the place in which those matters
are to be debated.
What is more important is that Dr. Shiels tells
me that Sir J. Simon is going to raise this matter in
House of Commons after the recess.
He suggested we should telegraph to Gov. for
particulars of the measures taken to give effect
to the Mui Tsi Ordinance.
The despaten of 27th February however (which
I had not seen when I spoke to Dr. Shiels) No.33 on
this file appears to give all the information
available.
This despatch appears to me to show that the
Ordinance is being carried out very fully except that
there are no Government inspectors appointed to
go round and visit the Mui tsi periodically and
ascertain whether there are any complaints. That
is left to the Society for the protection of Children
hous (Just as in England there is no
bowa - to - town
vi si tation by the police to see that people dont
ill treat their children it is left to private
initiative
the Society for Prevention of Cruelty to
Children)
It is certainly a weak point in our
case that promised
(paragraph 8 of our despatch.
of August 29th quoted by Lord Passfield in his
speech in 36) that we would make regulations
providing for the remuneration inspection and
control of Mui tsi
In the absence of
detailed inspection.
remuneration and control
cannot be absolutely secured. The Governor
objects to Government inspectors on the score
of expense: this is not an argument we should
be very willing to use; and perhaps we might
ask him whether apart from the question of
expense it is feasi ble to arrange that
registered Mui Tsi should be seen by tire
hat offiur
once every 6 months.
It appears
from paragraph 9 of 35 that some Government
officer presumably the Secretary for Chinese
affairs has actually seen ong and spoken to
all the Mui tsi who have been registered.
The dead bodies of children found in the
streets of Hong Kong have only tais connection
with the Mui tsi system that some of them
might have been left alive if the Mui tsi
system had not been discouraged.
(Sgd) Walter D. Ellis.
I attach:-
(a) An extract from the Berkshire Chronicle
of 27th March, containing Dr. Hastings' reply
to Lady Simon.
(b) Correspondence with Professor Gilbert Murray,
DESTROTED UND & STATUTE
arising out of No. 16 on the file.
Dr. Shiels would be glad to have the
comments of the Department, and suggestions as
to a reply.
(c) Note from Mr. Mathers, with previous correspon-
NDER STATUTA
dence with Sir John Simon's Private Secretary.
You will see that the subject of mui-
tsai in Hong Kong will be raised on the
adjournment of the House on Tuesday, the 14th
Dr. Shiels would like to have a brief
sometime towards the end of next week.
Fin & Newton
letter from
DESTROYED UNDER 8T," constituents
for. Obson
D. Newlin
(to ach)
STROYED UNDER STRATE
No.26. Draft submitted.
Has apparently been acknowledged from
the Prime Minister's Office, and can be put
No.32. It has been decided that no reply to Commander Haslewood should be given, and I presume that this also applies in connection with No.33, which contains the Governor's
observations on a previous letter from Commander
all have
Hazlewood, and that this can be put by.
Draft reply submitted.
A brief will be prepared in due course. Draft reply submitted.
No further action seems to be necessary
on the other items in the file. ? Put by.
I agree generally or have faced the draft, so that they may be copied and
have to rend
later based
got out of the way. Coun. Heslewood something
on 33, but we need not do it now,
Perigalate the file quickly after letter
have gone
to prefore the brief on 34.
J. A. Calder
2.4.3 tam
42 to Miss Cholmcley (26 and?)
43. Trop. Murray (38 ause) brit. Si W. Newton
8 APR 1951
To Mars underovo
Nat U. of For for Equal Celligens hf.
Pas resolution passed
Citizensty. 19/3
Annual Council Meeting (see 30)
47. To theas Storton (46. ansed)
Memo for use of Fr. thiels in H. of C.
Fr. Shiels wishes to consider this brief an
Nonday morning. He will also require copies of the command papers, of the 17.K. ordinances regulations on the enbject and of (1) on 8
I am arranging for that.
82758/5;
J. A. Calder
A good memo,
G.B. 11.4.21
Dr. thich revised the mans with me
a copy in his room at the It of C. The
motion was not raised it is uncertain
when it will be.
49. UN's non
acus. No HD.
Frost by folder
DESTROYED UNDER STATUTE
21.4·3 tou
DESTROYED UNDER STATUTE
ser slip
El count,
Rev. Baskomb
information
regarding regiotiation, inspection,
& renumeration.
app reply submitted
b. Rev. Bascomb.
DESTROYED ANDER STATULA
(Jo and)
52 Oldfield Park. Brotherhood
resolution panned at
320 May.
the enceling
Extract from Daily Express. 13 Thay
Su WB. G. Ross
application for appt inspector of
Usually these surf
formally acknorogo, but it is rather late with
day to do this now, and
we might ? pusly.
The writing of the reschoon is also
litth offencios.
It would appen from the forwari's Velgram
of 9 may (18.4 in 82758/30 Wow) Red He i appt by offend thesprofor home not go is proposed
to scher an
ffice locally for
In puw prof of suspecter y gui-Isai, but in han mos
докористи
yet not the orsparty 28 April refund to in Pchpan.
Any action guind
on of Ross' with?
Jstill 5:
(52) In view of the lefee of time the
Just by.
(53) Putly
Achu. Izay
that if it is lucided to
offort in inspector
this antyg
this application will receive
20.5.3170
Extract from Landay Turner May 17. 1931
DESTILO. UNHA BTATUHE
Extract from. "Hong Kong March 25th 1981.
DESTROYED UNVER STATUTS
To Ross (54 Aus?)
to Mothers Memor
27 MAY 1951
resolution which was
Forwards
579 ED UNT
To Mothers Mon
158 anos
bo Extract from Times" 24.581
Mens Rayde
Would like to know what slepo
being to build slavery in thong Kong
N.56. This ambicies the quotation which Sir J. Simm
infrined into his spuch in the orbate in
(Hansard. pape 927.):
N.60. Hiker Jr is difficult to crtir the
stefined mare in the last sumbua
12 ENVIR
from this letter, because (a)
M.K. Indesitial
Employment
Children Orth (N°.22
1922) pinions that
shake to employed
in any factory,
15 years
no child www 10
Her no child with
gap shake he employed in any industrial marrtaking
hown the hours 7 p.m
7.m.- (b) it
works sam mond improbath this them an employer in
mui-tsai to work
his own infiresti warts permit
Me night in
fucking if the
work for
for him in
12 daytime.
N61. I den Reik we
I subject to every
can write
an essay
casual inquirer,
hots supped this the writer shold & refund to
in op h/w. I Lan pusprachey not mentioned the reports of the debates in 1 Times
heans both 12. S. gs. spuch
absurdly curtailed.
There was a
མ་D་དི་་་ ༔དམ་
Festibles
30.5.31.
bad case come
years ago fa
to work at night in
a mucitrai
factory, and being
beaten for failing at house work during the day.
The Hon Mos Macuair is only
band in her informatio
J. A. Calder
30.5 ton
XDo Miss
Miss Royts (6( au?)
DESTROYED UNDER STATUTE
€ 3 JUN 1931
63 Grahame white (So)
Is Cuttings from the "Hong "King Telegraph" for penisal chro
64 Jo. Grahame. While
65 Grahame White (5.0.
Acks bet
with thanks
To Grahame while
DESTROYED UNDER STATUTE
Submit obsen on
with Filipin
This is the disfunt mundimend
which was nains
form the for inmorichly befor
month in the Mt. g Commons
The debate last month
(N-4 in 82758).
that firm
912 information
in paro 3, 4 (a) ~ (br) (1), an
is may be useful for fam
que which may
hanked in th of one.
But the information givm in para 4(4)(3) aber
and coery
inspector in centers diserperinding
1 impression that the forwmor
promising
as energetically
might - more who last sendmen
in 1 opmer (Hansens p.544
ว disputat
said by Dr Shicks
p.544-cy
82758) - Reika
in our Yo
impress upon.
in Muiratility
appointing
an offices with
minimum of day.
In shake
letter fro
12 Anti-Slcory Society (N-4).
Who evident expect an
lans Wither (N°23).
in May 11:
This with
was not actual
to hen in shado
in writhing to them
the rift fier
In stors
In fact has my have in
4/12/30. (in N-34)
forms respurt og
offs for consû
Jestithes.
I have put up much fuller drafts,
as I fal
sure Dr. Drummond Shiels would like to
rend a full explanation of what we are doing.
J. A. Calder
8 To A. S. & A. P. Soc. (W/e Outer e/endes. in
Outer • elends. in 67) -
23 JUN 1931
69 to for. 194 (~/c. 68) (67ened) bone. 24.6.31.
(u/c68).
A S. r A l. Son
Return, with thanks,
with (68)
VFBKKMED UNDER STATUSA
Pure day.
Ordies, ensured
sporty in
Mr. Calder. (9.6
82759/31.
HONG KONG.
Mr. Tomlinson.
Sir C. Bottomley.
Sir J. Shuckburgh,
Sir G. Grindle. 19
Permt. U.S. of S.
Parly. U.S. of S.
Secretary of State.
HONG KONG.
*GREMENT
Downing Street,
24 June, 1931.
I have &c. to acknowledge
the receipt of your despatch No. 207
of the 28th of April on the subject of
the mui tsai system, which I have
read with much interest. I enclose,
for your information, a copy of a
letter which I have caused to be
Comp. draft.
2 drafts.
sent to the Anti Slavery and
Aborigines Protection Society.
I am satisfied that
in order to comply with the under-
takings which have been given
regarding the inspection of mui tsai,
it is necessary that the Hong Kong
Government should make provision for
an officer who will visit the mui
sai regularly in their homes, and satisfy himself
that the Regulations are^fully complied with.
I trust to hear from you at an early date
that you have secured the services of a
suitable person for that purpose.
I have &C.,
(Signed) PASSFIELD,
Mr. Calder.
Mr. Ellis
Mr. Tomlinson.
Sir C. Bottomley.
Sir J. Shuckburgh.
Sir G. Grindle.
Permt. U
Parly. U.S. of S.
Secretary of State;
20/6/31 2216
82759/31.
HONG KONG.
THE HON. SECRETARY,
THE ANTI SLAVERY AND ABORIGINES
PROTECTION SOCIETY.
Downing Street,
23 June, 1931.
I am &c. to refer to
your letters of the 12th of Januaryd
of the 16th of March regarding the
present position of the mui tsai
custom in Hong Kong. Since the
receipt of these letters, you have
been sent a copy of the Governor's
Ordinance No. 13 of 1929.
Ordinance No. 21 of 1929.
Report by Governor.
(melos. in 67)
2 drafts.
despatch No. 622 of the 4th of
December, 1930, reporting on the pro-
gress of the campaign against the
mui tsai system for the six months
to 1st December, 1930. That
Report shows that the Hong Kong
Government are taking active
steps to carry out the declared
policy of H.M.G., which in brief
is that no new mui tsai shall be created
in,or imported into, Hong Kong, and that the
existing mai tsai who have all been registered
shall know that they are free to leave their
employers if they want to, and shall be paid
wages and properly treated.
In effect, the
in H. (Cong)
status of the registered mui tsai has had
any suggestion of a servile tint removed, and
is now that of a free paid domestic worker.
2. In the circumstances, it seems
unnecessary to comment on the second paragraph
of your letter of 12th January. It is
sufficient to point out that since the enactment
of the Hong Kong Ordinance No. 1 of 1923,
it has quite definitely been illegal
for any employer to acquire a young girl
in Hong Kong as a mui tsai by making a
payment to her parents or guardians.
3. As regards the suggestion that
the registration of the existing mui tsai
has been defective because the number
registered is so much less than the figure of
10,000, which was an unofficial estimate
made some years ago, I am to invite
reference to the full statement
on the subject made by Dr. Drummond
Shiels in his speech in the House
[Hawserd. No.5mm 8.258]
of Commons on the 11th of May.
There appear to be no real grounds
for supposing that registration was
not practically complete.
Isolated
cases of evasion come to light
from time to time and prosecuted in
accordance with the law.
The suggestion is made
in your letter of the 12th of January
that registration should be extended
to include adopted daughters.
Governor has pointed out that, as
the Hong Kong law stands today, the
onus is placed on the adopter of
showing that the girl is in fact
a foster daughter and not a mui tsai,
while the powers of the Secretary
for Chinese Affairs with regard to
the guardianship of such girls are clearly set
out in the Women and Girls Protection Ordinance.
The Governor further states that there is no
evidence to show that adoption is being used as
a fiction to evade responsibilities imposed
by the laws regarding mui tsai.
5. Further, it must be remembered
that registration of mui tsai is now closed,
and that when an unregistered mui tsai is
discovered, her registration is not permitted.
The employer is prosecuted, and the girl
is disposed of in such a way as appears to
be in her best interests.
possible, because it is the declared
policy of the Government to abolish the mui tsai
custom, but it would probably not be
possible to abolish altogether the
practice of adoption. If registration
of adopted daughters were introduced,
it might have to be continued indefinitely,
and the Hong Kong Government is not satisfied
that it would be the best way to deal
with the problem.
It is recognised that
the practice of adoption when money
is paid to parents or guardians
presents a very difficult problem,
and is in many ways open to serious
abuses, particularly with regard
to the adoption of girl children.
The Hong Kong Government has
attempted to deal with possible
abuses by two recent amendments
of the law, namely Ordinance No.13
of 1929 (Offences against the Person
Amendment Ordinance) and Ordinance
No. 21 of 1929 (An Ordinance to amend
the Protection of Women and Girls
Ordinance, 1897). A bopy of
both these Ordinances is enclosed
for your information and eventual
The Governor understands
that the question of adoption by
purchase
purchase is likely to be dealt with
in the Report of the Travelling Commission
of the League of Nations, which is at
present engaged investigating the traffic
in women and children in the Far East.
When the League of Nations Commission's Report
is published, it is proposed to consider seriously
arefulty/whether its investigators, after
their careful
her enquiry on the spot,have any
constructive suggestions to make which would
still further lessen the possibility of any
abuses occurring in Hong Kong.
The Hong Kong Society for the
Protection of Children issued last autumn
a Report on its first three months' activities, and
the Governor understands that it will shortly publish
details of the first 100 cases investigated by
it. I am to suggest that you should communicate
direct with the Hon. Secretary of the Society,
which is, of course, an unofficial organisation,
and make arrangements to receive its publications.
As regards the
remuneration of mui tsai, the
Governor has ascertained that the
general practice appears to be to
pay from 2 dollars to 3 dollars a
month, which is rather more than
the minimum fixed by the
Regulations. He has been asked
to report whether a higher minimum
not now,
might be fixed by Regulation.
10. With regard to the hours
of labour, the Female Domestic
Servants Ordinance provides that
no employer of a mai tsai shall
overwork her. If any mui tsai
are engaged in work outside the home,
they come under the general Hong
Kong legislation which limits
the hours of work of children in
industrial employment.
The Governor recently
personally
personally visited a number
of houses where registered mui tsai were
known to be living. These houses were
selected at random, and no information
was given respecting the Governor's
proposed visit. I am to enclose, for
your information, a copy of the Report which
has been furnished by the Governor on
these visits.
12. A certain amount of inspection
is already done by the Inspectora Chinese lady-
of the Hong Kong Society for the Protection
of Children, and by the European Police
Inspector attached to the Chinese Affairs
Department for work in connection
with the Women and Girls Protection
Ordinance. But the Governor's investigation,
although generally satisfactory, convinced
him that some steps should be taken
for more regular inspection, and he is at
present making enquiries to secure the
services
services of a suitable officer for
the purpose.
The suggestion that the
accommodation available for mui tsai
may be inadequate appears to be based
on the view that many of them
are unhappy, and anxious to leave
their employers. There appears
to be little evidence to support
such a view, and no difficulty
has been experienced hitherto
in finding accommodation for mui
tsai. During the past 12 months
the Salvation Army has opened a
Home for this purpose among others.
A scheme for the removal of the
Po Leung Kuk to a more suitable site
has also made considerable headway;
plans have been prepared for a
building estimated to cost about
150,000 dollars, and subscriptions
have come in so freely that more than three-
fourths of this sum has been raised in the
space of a few months. The Government has
contributed free of cost a large and
valuable site on the outskirts of the city.
The new building will be in every respect
more suitable for its purpose than the old.
It will provide accommodation for more
inmates and will be capable of extension
if this should prove necessary.
14. The transfer of a mui tsai to a
brothel in Hong Kong could not now be effected, as
the fact that the girl was a registered mui tsai
could hardly be concealed from the Government
officials who interview all girls who
wish to become inmates of brothels.
regards the transfers made in the past of
mui tsai from Hong Kong to the Straits
Settlements, it is provided by the Hong
Kong Regulations that every employer must
report any intended removal of a mui tsai
from the Colony, whether temporarily
or permanently. If the intended
destination was the Straits
Settlements, the employer would be
informed that the transfer could not
be permitted.
In your letter of the
16th of March you referred to the
dead bodies of children which
are found in the streets of
Hong Kong. Ample facilities are
provided by the Hong Kong Government
for the free burial of destitute
persons, and the dumping of dead
bodies in the streets cannot, in the
majority of cases, be accounted for
by mere poverty and ignorance.
There is little doubt that the
primary object is to escape real
or feared inconvenience from
disinfection
disinfection of the premises by the Sanitary
Department.
This view is borne out by
the fact that a considerable proportion
of the bodies found are those of persons
who have died of smallpox. The death rate
and the rate of infant mortality are very high,
particularly among the lower classes
of Chinese.
16. This problem has for many years
been a matter of grave concern to the Hong
Kong Government, particularly from the point
of view of the future spread of epidemics,
and constant efforts have been made to
enlist the support of the representatives
of the more enlightened Chinese opinion
to combat the evil, Special notices were issued
in March, 1930, in Chinese, pointing out
the illegality of the practice.
abandoned corpse is removed to the public
mortuary for post mortem investigation, but in
almost every case no cause is discovered
for suspicion that death resulted
from other than natural causes.
case is reported to the coroner, but
in no single case in 1928 did he see
any necessity for a formal death
enquiry.
17. It is hardly necessary
to point out that this question has
no connection at all with the mui tsai
custom, and is not peculiar to Hong
Kong. In the Metropolitan
Police District about 700 dead
bodies are discovered annually in the
streets and other public places, of
which a considerable proportion
are those of newly born infants.
I am &c.,
(Signed) WAI TER D. ELLIS
3 0 MAY 1331
COL. OFFICE
GOVERNMENT HOUSE,
HONG KONG, 28th April, 1931.
My Lord,
I have the honour to acknowledge the receipt of // Your Lordship's despatch No.45 of 9th February, 1931,
transmitting a copy of a letter from the Anti-Slavery and
Aborigines Protection Society on the subject of the mui tsai system. I propose in my reply to confine myself to
such points as have not been already dealt with in my
despatch No.82 of February 27th, 1931.
Lumion has they in
2. The writers appear to contemplate the indefinite
continuation of registration of mui tsai; they also propose
the registration of adopted or foster daughters. So far as
mui tsai are concerned the suggestion would appear to
contravene sections 13 and 15 of the Female Domestic Servants
Ordinance 1923. The practice, when an unregistered mui tsai
is discovered, is not to permit her registration, but to
make such arrangements as appear to be in the best interests
of the girl. During the ten months since the period of
registration ended, 28 such cases have been discovered, 13
of them being new importations into the Colony. Prosecutions
have followed, and after the infliction of a fine, the
employers have in some cases been permitted to take the
girls back to the places whence they had, in ignorance of
Madles to A.5.0 AP. Sex (68
THE RIGHT HONOURABLE
LORD PASSFIELD,
our law, been brought. In other cases the girls have been placed in the Po Leung Kuk pending enquiries about their relatives, and from the Po Leung Kuk some of these girls have been taken in by the Salvation Army or by the Victoria Home and Orphanage. With regard to adopted daughters I am of the opinion for reasons which I have already given that no action is called for on this particular ground. It would appear to be illogical to prohibit the employment of mui tsai while at the same time providing for the registration of adopted daughters because in the opinion of certain individuals they may be mui tsai in disguise.
3. The practice of adoption by purchase presents a very difficult problem and is in many ways open to serious abuses particularly with regard to the adoption of girl children. Ordinance 13 of 1929 (Offences against the Person Amendment Ordinance) represents an attempt to deal with such abuses as also does section 32 of the women
and Girls Protection Ordinance (Ordinance 4 of 1897 as
amended by Ordinance 21 of 1929.) The latter ordinance
in particular confers very wide powers on the Secretary for Chinese Affairs and it is questionable whether that officer would not be hampered in his work if recognition were given to a relationship which has at present no
validity under English or Chinese law.
I am prepared should Your Lordship desire it to consider this question further. I am however given to understand that the question of adoption by purchase is likely to be dealt with in the report of the Travelling Commission of the League of Nations which is at present engaged in investigating the traffic in women and children
in the Far East, and Your Lordship may therefore prefer
to await the publication of this report before action is
With reference to the "constructive suggestions"
put forward I would offer the following comments:-
(a) The Hong Kong Society for the Protection of Children issued last autumn a report on its
first three months' activities, most of which
was reproduced at the time in the local press.
I understand that the Society will shortly
publish details of the first hundred cases investigated by it and I have no doubt that anyone who is interested will be able to obtain a copy of this on application to the Honorary Secretary. The Society is not in any way an
official organisation.
(b) (1) Remuneration. The general practice appears
to be to pay from $2 to $3 a month. This is
rather more than the sum laid down in the regula-
tions. Cases have been discovered of under pay-
ment but there is no reason to suppose that
these are common.
(2) Hours of Labour. As the law stands at present "No employer of a mui tsai shall overwork such mai tsai" (Ordinance 1 of 1923 Section 6 (1).)
It is difficult to see what advantage is to be gained by elaboration of this Section. As an indication of typical mui tsai work I would refer Your Lordship to the record attached in connection with paragraph 6 below.
(3) Inspection.
Since writing my despatch of 27th
The myhtio fix $1 pm for f
ow loyro
and mow 15
A formation
Andrum 2 10 N 28 12 62758/1/29
February
hir a veng ford Emai de envary to the
February I have given further consideration to this matter. Some difficulty is likely to be experienced in securing the services of a suitable officer. I am however causing enquiries to be
made and will address Your Lordship further on
this point in due course.
With regard to the alleged transfer of mui tsai to brothels I assume the writers to imply that this takes place on a considerable scale, although the meaning of the penultimate paragraph of their letter is not very clearly expressed. In this connection I can only suggest that if any evidence is to be obtained on this point it will find a place in the forthcoming report of the Travelling Commiss-
ion of the League of Nations.
6. I may add that recently I personally visited a
number of houses where registered mui tsai were said to be living: these houses were selected at random from the
register and no information was given regarding my proposed
visit. I attach a record showing the results of my
investigations which, with the exception of cases (7) and (8), were satisfactory. When the law was amended it was
anticipated that cases might occur where such movements of
mui tsai were not reported and I am not surprised that such
has proved to be the case. This fact however has strength-
ened me in the view that it is desirable to appoint an
inspector at all events until I am satisfied that the
appointment is no longer required.
I have the honour to be,
My Lord,
Your Lordship's most obedient, humble servant
Governor, &c.
Registered mui tsai No.88.W. - FONG TAI HI (⇓⇓)
aged 16 years of 135 Second Street, 2nd floor. She has
been with the employer for eleven years, seemed quite
happy and well-fed, did fairly light work, and had saved
up two or three dollars from her earnings.
PANG HANG FA (彭杏花)
Registered mui tsai, R.589
aged 16 years of 12 Graham Street, 2nd floor. She has
been eight years with her employer. She did a little
housework, slept and ate under the same conditions as
her employer's family, and had been educated at the
employer's expense. At the time of the visit she had
gone to fetch a sum of money for her employer from a
loan association. The girl has since been seen and looks well and happy. (13.4.31).
Registered mui tsai, R.346 WONG SUI HI (16) 黄 黃瑞喜) aged 10 years of 28 Cochrane Street, 1st floor. She
appeared to have little or nothing to do in the house. She does what work she likes and usually gets up at 8
a.m. or even later. She eats with the family, and in fact, at the time of the visit, seemed to be enjoying a very plentiful meal in company with another registered
mui tsai, R.389, who had come across the harbour to visit
(4) Registered mui tsai, R.389
TANG TSOI LIN ($)
aged 14 years from Yaumati, found visiting R.346 (mention- ed above). Her parents are dead and she has been with
her employer for four years. She gets
She gets sufficient food
and clothing and sums of money from time to time, out
of which she has saved $4 to $5.
(5) Registered mui tsai, E.36
LING CHAU SIM (K) aged 15 years of 7 Gresson Street, 1st floor. She looks
after the children of the family, is paid an average of $1.50 a month, has saved about $10, gets plenty of food and clothing from her employer and eats with the family. She usually gets up about 7 a.m. and goes to bed at 9.30
She is being educated at the Yik Tsz School where
she attends night classes from 7-9 p.m. She is very happy
with her employer and would prefer to stay with her rather
than anyone else.
(6) Registered mui tsai, E.175 - AU HOP HEUNG (
AU HOP HEUNG (1) aged 15 years of 292 Lockhart Road, 3rd floor. She has been ten years with her employer, washes, cooks and looks
after the children, but does not consider she is overworked.
She has three meals a day which she has with the family. She
is paid $1.00 a month and at the same time is credited by
her employer and without her knowledge with 50 cents per
month. Out of the sums paid to her she has saved about $10.
Some of her money she spends on clothes, though she gets necessary clothing from her employer. She seems to be
happier with her employer than she would be with her own
parents who visit her occasionally.
(7) Registered mui tsai, R.1989 - HO TUNG HO ( 243) aged
9 years of 149 Queen's Road East, 2nd floor. Her employer's
husband was a tea merchant, whose business recently went
bankrupt. He and all his family, including the girl left
Hong Kong for Canton about seven months ago.
(8) Registered mui tsai, 150 W. KWAN TUNG KUK)
aged 16 years of 284 Des Voeux Road West, 2nd floor.
The employer, with her whole family and the girl left Hong
Kong for Canton about four months ago
reason unknown.
Information obtained from relatives, of the Tseung On Fat
(4) No.75 Bonham Strand West, ground floor.
Dr. Drummond Shiels, M.P.,
Colonial Office,
Downing Street, S.W.1.
3rd June, 1931.
Dear Dr. Drummond Shiels,
I am much obliged for your letter of the 1st with regard to the Mui-tsai of Hong Kong. I am quite sure that all those who are interested In this matter are quite satisfied that great strides have been made in dealing with this evil but, in view of the fact that so little was accomplished between the attempt of Mr. Churchill until comparatively recently, there is naturally a good deal of doubt in the minds of those who are not perhaps so closely in touch with the situation as to the efficacy of the steps which are being taken.
Personally, I am satisfied that everything that is possible to be done from this end is being done but I feel, nevertheless, that it is desirable that Parliament should, from time to time, take notice of the situation and particularly by advertising any evasions or attempted evasions, in order that there may not be any relaxation of the further efforts which may be necessary until the situation is entirely satisfactory.
I fully realise all the difficulties of the situation and am glad to think that the efforts so far made have led to such a definite improvement.
Yours sincerely,
Graham hlut
Dear Mr. Greham-White,
1st June, 1931.
Thanks for your letter of 23th May about the
Mui-tsai in Hong song. I was interested to read the cuttings
which you enclose, some of which I had already seen.
I am afraid that I have not been quite success-
ful in putting the case of the Government on this subject, and
evidently you and some other of my colleagues are not yet quite
satisfied.
I went to make it clear that when we say that
we have no reason to believe that the law is being evaded, we
do not mean that no attempts have been, or will be, made to
evade the law. As I pointed out, we have here a city of over
a million people, with a traffic to and from the mainland of
100 50,000
round about 4,999 each way per day.
We have imposed laws
concerning this subject of Mui-tsai which make a fundamental
break in an age-long custom.
We did that, further, when many
H. Graham-White, Esq., M.P.
people, including local Europeans, believed that we could not
be successful. What I have been trying to convey is that, in
view of all the forebodings and the statements that we were
not wise in attempting to carry out regulations which would
prevent altogether new bui-tsai being either created in, or
brought into, the Colony, and would also transform the status
of the remaining Mui-tsai from what was comparable to chattel
slavery into that of a domestic servant, we feel that we have
had a surprising amount of success. It will, of course, take
a little time before the large and cosmopolitan population of
dong Kong get it firmly into their minds that this change is
a permanent and definite one, and that the Government is
determined to see that no attempt at evasion can be
successfully carried out. I want you to look at the reports
of these trials and convictions as the best evidence we can
have of the determination of the Government to see that
evasion does not take place, and I au satisfied that if the
law is firmly applied, as we have instructed that it shoul^
be, the number of attempts to evade the law will steadily
diminish.
In the meantime, as I indicated before, we are
going into the question of inspection, which I believe is
better covered than was thought, but which we are prepared to
strengthen to the full extent necessary in order to make any
attempts at evasion less likely to be successful.
I am very anxious to west you and your
colleagues in this subject, in which I have taken a deep
interest, and to which I have devoted a great deal of study,
and if you would care to call at the Office and discuss it
some time I would be very happy to go into it with you. I
trust, however, that you will see from this letter that, while
I appreciate the point of your question, I am satisfied that
though evasion may be attempted, these attempts will become
successively fewer as the law is applied with vigour. and
thoroughness.
Sincerely yours,
(Sgd.) T. DRUMMOND SHIELS.
P.S. I return the cuttings, with many thanks.
་ TELEPHONE :
604 BIRKENHEAD.
Dear Dr. Drummond Shields,
Mere Cottage,
Birkenhead.
28th May, 1931.
With reference to my question No. 26, reported
in Hansard of May 13th, in which it was suggested
that some evasion of the Registration Ordinance
with regard to Mui Tsai in the colony of Hong Kong was
taking place, I now enclose cuttings from the "Hong
Kong Telegraph" reporting several cases of recent date,
which were the basis of the question, and, I think suggest the necessity forfurther enquiry.
I should be glad if you would let me have the se
cuttings back again in due course.
I regret that I overlooked sending these to you
before and will be glad to have them back to your convenience.
Yours sincerely,
H. Graham White.
Dr. Drummond Shields,
Under Secretary of State for the Colonies. Colonial Office. Whitehall.S.W.l.
47 Shieldburn Road, 54
Linthouse,
flasgow, S.S.
The Colonial Secretary,
Colonial Office,
London, E.C.2.
From?: Lieut. W. B. T. Koso
13th May 1931.
Auso (57
I have to request that this
my application_ post of Official Inspector of Mur-Isai in Honghong.
be considered!
Having been round the World twice, my experience.
would be of great assistance to you,
the Chinese; (lly age is 35.)
my knowledge
My War service was 1914 1916 Ste 1/2 H. L. I. (. Glasgow- Highlanders) France 1914-15-16. 2nd Jant. Regal Bests Fusiliers, 2nd Fient Pilot Pays & Flying Corps, Sient. Poyal. Air Force. Could work singlehander in thighong, ready
ensider affliation favourably,
at once.
Should you
tir commands.
I have the honour to-be,
Your obedient servant:
A HELPING HAND.
OLDFIELD PARK BROTHERHOOD.
OUR HOME:
Baptist Church, Oldfield Park.
President: REV. H. J. WHITE, 47 King Edward Rd. Treasurer: MR. H. ADAMS, 18 King Edward Rd. Secretary: MR. D. T. COLEMAN, 30 Junction Rd.
EVANGELICAL.
Meetings at 3 p.m.
FOUNDED 1908.
OUR MOTTO:
"One is your Master, even Cbrist, and all ye
are bretbren.”
Vice-Presidents: MR. H. J. KING; REV. W. A. FINDLAY; MR. F. C. Shergold. Registrar: MR. F. G. CLARK, 19 Second Avenue.
Benevolent Fund Treasurer and Birthday Secretary: MR. E. G. PEARCE,
NON-POLITICAL.
23 St. Kilda's Road.
UNSECTARIAN.
30 Junction RoadBATH,
The Secretary,
Colonial office
Whitehall.
heard the following resolution was
unaminously
afterwoow:
carried at our meeting this
That this ineeting of the
the orders
blafield Park Brotherhood, Bath views with grave concern the failure of the Hong Kong koverncuent to carry out in a comprehensive manner contained in hood Rassfield's despatele of August 22nd 1979. That in view of the well known subterfuge of describing urui Isai as adopted daughters, it is
that unmediate registration of 52" all girls described as adopted daughters should be effected, & that an adequate Government system of inspection, control 4 remuneration should be organisel forth with.
I remains
Yours obediently,
D.T. Coleman
per. Calder 11.4 For G. Grundle 11
MUI-7941 IN HONG XONO.
The employment of qui-tsal is an old established and
wiac-spread custom in Ching which is deep-rooted in
Chinese family and economic conuitions.
21.0 Mui-tgai
are in general well-treated, the very name meand
+1 Little Sister" and it is considered by Chinese public
opinion to be obligatory on their employers to see that
they are married or suitably provided for when they are
about lo year. of age. Inasmuch however, as the custom
meant that young female chilaren were placed as domestic
servants in the houses of employers who had paid money
for them to their parents or guardians, the custom was
obviously open to abuse and was repugnset to sritish
ideas. The stops which have been taken in Hong Long
on the orders of successive Secretarios of Stute to
atomp out this custom are detailed in Command 3424 ana
Command 3735.
The statement attributed to
lt is not clear what line Sir John Simon propose
to take in his attack on the resent position regard ing
ui-teai in Hong Kong.
Lady Simon at the meeting at Heading on 16ta karch, at
which Sir John Simon presided is that brought her to
an nglish Colony which condones slavery, Longong,
enere there were some 10,000 child slaves owned by Chinese.
She sugreeted that all persons should write to their
and ask him what he was doing about that." The
uulinite mis- statements there, are:-
The slavery allegation, and
The figure of 10,000.
48 regards the slavery allegation, Sir John Simon too good a Cawyer
is to be allowed to take the line that a qui-taai
in long long is legally in the ouition of a slave.
The status of slavery is illegal in Hong Kong and
Section 2 of the Female Domestic Service Trdinance
(Page 20 of Command 3424) expressly declares and enacts
that no employer has any right of ownership or custody
over kui-tsai in his employ. If a ui-tsal wishes to
leave her employer, there is no legal obstacle to ner
uoing so at any moment. The employer has no remedy
an. cannot either get back the Jul-tasl or recover any
payment he may have waue to her parents or guaruiana.
It is more probable that Sir John dimon will take tre lino that the status of Lui-tsai is analāg ous to, or in practice inuistinguishable from, slavery, although
legally quite distinct, but he shoul. find it very hard
to make out his case au regards the Hui-tsai in Hong
hong. Their status has Deen nuwe clear in the Female
Domestic Service Ordinance. They have been registered;
their death, isappearance, change of sudress or intended
marriage must be notified to the authorities. They must
be paid wages and it mag been broadcast by means of
Proclamations and Pamphlets that any ui-tsai who wish
to leave their employers are free to wo so and should
report to the Secretary for Chinese Alfairs or to the
nearest police station.
It is illegal to acquire
new Zui-tsai by paynente to parents or guar.land or to
introduce hui-tsal into the Colony from abroad.
as regards the figure of 10.000. the only
approximately reliable figuresna to the number of
Kui-tesi in Yong Long are the Cenous estimat of 1921.
viz.. d653 and the actual figures of resotatione
in 1930, viz, 4239.
an eatingte of 10.000 was zauŰ
soce time between 1921 and 1925, but the Governor
reported in Command 3735 that that estimate Was
merely a guese and it appeare probable
that it was too
high But Haslewood snu others have never accepted
that and have constantly reiterated the figure of 10.00
and maintained that ac only 4,00 oud are registered,
the balance must be stil in Hong Kong and unr...gistered
and that registration hac therefors been a failure.
There is no evidence for that at all. The
anticipation that re istration would be widely effenscớ
has not been borne cut by the facts and the response of
employere to the regulations haɛ heon most gratifying.
assuming that the Ceneus estimate was approximately
correct and that in 1921 there were 8653 sui-teal in
Hong Kong and that at the close of regietration in 1330
there were only 4299,
there was a diminution of atout
It must be remembered that
50 per cent in 9 year8.
during that periodconstaurable propagenda was carried
on against the custom, both in fione long and in China,
and it is not unreasonable to suppose that the number
of qui-taal in Hong Kong declined during that period.
There is no soubt moreover that a number o. employers
did return their Hui-teal to their relations when
registration was introduced, in some cases, even against thewill of the girla and their parents.
regard to the agitation on the subject many employers
rightly or wrongly felt that they ran a risk of being
hela to obloquy
to their homes.
and preferred to return the .ui-tsai
There is no evidence that any of
of these girls were sold on the mainland, nor, course,
in any case could a prosecution be instituted in
Hong Kong for offences committea in China. M2/11 f 917
John Simon basin hin attack on the Haslewood propaganda
he may raise the further points that Government has not
taken adequate steps to inspect and control the
registered ini-tsal, that it has not provided adequate accommodation for .ui-tsui wishing to leave their
employers and that registration should be extended to
inclu e adopted daughters.
As regards inspection and control, no Inspectors or auditionsi Police Officers have been appointed by the Hong Kong Government with the special duty of seeing that the local laws and regulations on the
subject of Bui-tasi are observed.
that in general it must rest with organisations guch
98 the Anti-uni-tsal Society, the Society for the
It is considered
protection of children, the kọ Leung Kuk, and the
Salvation army to cring to the notice of the Government
or of the police, caves of suspected ill-treatment.
The hong kong Society for the Protection of chilurun
to which the Hong Kong Government mazes an annual grant has appointed one Inspector, a Chinese lady, and is considering the appointment of a second,
while the Secretary for Chinese Affairs has the
assistance in such matters of the lolice Inspector
seconded to his Department for work in conection with the Women and Girls Frotection Crdi nance. Should.
however, the need for an auditional Govern sont
Inspector be at any time inuicated, the Governor
is prepared to consider such an appointment.
As regards accommodation, no difficulty has been experienced hitherto in finding all that is
Juring the past 12 months, the
necessary.
Salvation army has opened a home for this purpose
Moreover, the Goverment has
anong others.
contributed free of cost a large and valable site on the outskirts of the vity on walen a new hone will be erected by the Po Leung Kuk.
.ne suggestion that registration should be extended to include adopted daughture as well as Bui-tsal is not one that cald be accepted without very careful consideration. → the Hong Long law stands today, the onus la placa on the adopter of showing that the girl is toster daughter and not a ui-tsal, while the powers of the Secretary for Chinese Mairs with regard to the guardianship of such girls are clearly set out in the #omun and Girls' Protection Ordina .ce. The „overnor reporte
that so far there has been nothing to show that the
fiction of amotion is being used to evade
responsibility i posed by the laws regarding the
ui-tsai and there would appear to be at the moment
10 necessity to take action on this particular
AZounJ8.
Finally, if sir John Simon foll wa the
Haclewoods, he may raise the matter of dead boules
found in the hong kong streets with the implication
that there is some connection with the Kui-tagi
question.
The number of unknown dead boaies
found by the police in the streets and elsewhere in
the last five years are as follows:-
1928. 1926. 1987
Chiluren.
Ample facilities are provided by Goverment for free burial of destitute persons and the question
of dumping boules in the street cannot. in the majority of uses be accounted for by mure poverty
and ignorance. So far as boules o: auults are
concerned, there is little douot that the primary object is to escape roal or feared inconvenience
from disinfectione
of the preriaus by the senitary
Department. This view is borne out by the fact
that a considerable proportion of bo.ius found
are those of persons who have died of smallpox. The
ease would appear to be in the case of children
to a. even greater degree.
The death rate an
the rate of infant morality are very high,particularly
among the lower classes of Chinese and it is perhaps
inevitable in the circumstances that the population
as a whole, should be less inclined to incur trouble
or expense in connection with the disposal of the
boules of infants.
This problem has for many years been a matter
of grave concern to the Hong kong Government, parti-
cularly from the point of view of the future spread
of epidemics and constant efforts have been made to
enlist the support of the representatives of the
more enlightened Chinese opinion to combat the
evil. Special notices were issue. in March 1930
in Ching pointing out the illegality of the practice.
avery abandoned corpse is removed to the Fublic
Lortuary for post mortem investigation, but in almost
every case, no cause is discovered for suspicion that
a ueath resulted from other than natural causes.
very case is reported to the Coroner, but in no
single instance in 1928 aid he see any necessity for a
formal death enquiry.
This question has no connection at all with the
custom Mui-tsai ystem and is not peculiar to Hong Long. In
the Metro,olitan Folice aistrict about 700 uead
annually
boules are discovered, beth In the streets and other
public places of which a considerable proportion are
those of newly born infants.
If opportunity offers, a protest might be maue
somewhat as follows:-
by far the
Most unwarranted attacks have been ade on the
Hong Kong Goverment by frresponsible persons who are not in a position to verify the truth of informat bon which they aerive irom what are clearly unreliable Bources. I am satisfied that the hong Long Government has taken all reasonable steps to carry out the polic of His Majesty's Government in the matter of ui-tsai and that the Chinese community in Hong Kong have complied
to a most satisfactory degree to the Goverment's regulations on the subject. i suggest that before any Societies adopt the wide spread appeal to pass Resolutions about Slavery in Hong Kong, they should take steps to investigate the trustworthiness of their
informante.
Mr. Caine.
Mr. Calder
Mr. Tomlinson.
Sir C. Bottomley.
Sir J. Shuckburgh.
Sir G. Grindle.
Permt. US. of S.
Parly. U.S. of S.
Secretary of State.
82759/31 Hong Kong.
For Private Secretary's signature.
Downing Street,
April, 1931.
SIR DOUGLAS NEWTON, K.B.5., I.P.
3 drafts.
Dear Sir Douglas Newton,
With reference to my
(41) letter of the 1st of April,
math.P. met be expected to read `H. ofl. debates, to we need not ར་བ་ ཡཁག པ་ཨན་མནས before this reply
was given
I am desired by Lord Passfield
to inform you that the reply to
the enquiries made in the
letter enclosed in yours of the
31st of March is as follows.
The history of the measures
taken recently to deal with the
question of Mui Tsai in Hong
Hong was given by Lord Passfield
in his reply to the Earl of
w Rett⋅oft.
Kinnoull Kinnoull on the 26th of March.
As regards the reference quoted
to the adoption of young girls,
it should be explained that the
practice known as Nui Tsai,
although
although analogous to adoption,
is not adoption, in the strict sense. On the other hand, it'
K has always been distinguished
in China from slavery, and any
system of slavery would receive no
recognition Hong Kong tav.
Kongkau.
As regards the conditions prevailing
among the Kui Tsai, Lord Passfield is
advised that the evils of the system
have been very much exaggerated.
It is untrue to say that the Mui
Tsai are absolutely in the power
of their adopted parents or employers,
in view of the recent legislation and
regulations making provision for their
proper treatment.
Hooso very timely
1 Def Mr Sweeney
Mr. Caine.
Mr. lder
Mr. Tomlinson.
Sir C. Bottomley.
Sir J. Shuckburgh.
Sir G. Grindle.
Permt. .S. of S.
Parly. U.S. of S.
Secretary of State.
82759/31 Hong Kong.
For Dr. Shiels' signature.
Downing Street,
April, 1931.
Dear Professor Gilbert Murray,
I have now looked into
PROFESSOR GILLERT MURRAY, LL.D.,
the points referred to in your
letter of the 31st of March on
the subject of Mui Tsai in
4.12.20 hod.
1m 82758
?C) might make 20 cpics.
we shall furbably
yes, asked for fl
3 drafts.
Hong Kong.
I enclose a copy of the
latest six-monthly report
referred to in my recent reply
in the House. As regards the
statement in the earlier renort
dated the 25th of June, 1930,
that "apart from these cases
which actually come to the
Government's notice, I am
informed on good authority that
in many cases lui Tsai have been
sent to the country homes in China
of employers of the middle and upper
middle classes", it does not appear
that such removal would have been
illegal As we understand the position,
Chese Mui Tsai were sent out of the
registration
Colony before the Hegulations became
compulsory. You will see from the
report enclosed that reports/are
now being received in accordance with
regulation 5 1 (c) (of intending removals.
The next six-monthly report will
cover the period to the 30th of lay,
1931, and can hardly be expected to
reach the Colonial Office before the
end of July. It is not at present
intended to publish it, but it will
be made available as the last
report has been.
The account of the work of the
Society for the Protection of
Children
Children which I referred to
appeared in the Hong Kong
Weekly Press and China Overland
Trade Report of the 1st of
January.
Sincerely yours,
(Sgd.) T. DRUMMOND SHIELS.
82759/31 Hong Kong.
Mr. Caine.
Calder 2.4
Mr. Tomlinson.
Sir C. Bottomley.
Sir J. Shuckburgh.
Sir G. Grindle. Grindle.
Permt. U.$. of S.
Parly. U.S. of S.
Downing Street,
April, 1931.
With reference to your
Secretary of State.
letter of the 20th of March
DRAFT.com
on the subject of Nui Tsai
MISS K. CHOLMELEY.
Cutest in par
3 drafts.
in Hong Kong, I am etc. to
inform you that no inspectors
additional police officers
have been appointed by the tr. kong with the special duty of seeing,
Government to and that the
local laws regulations on the subject
Mini-Trai are carried out.
considered that in general it
must rest with organisations.
such as the Anti-lui Tsai
Society, the Society for the
Protection of Children, the
Po Leung Kuk, and the Salvation
Army, to bring to the notice
Sout. if the police)
of the authorities cases of
suspected ill-treatment.
regulations
regulations give the Government
ample power to conduct the necessary
investigations and provide for the
notification of deaths, disappearances,
or removals.
2. As regards unregistered slave
girls (by which
presumably meant
unregistered lui Tsai, as slavery
is not recognised in the Colony),
no action can be taken by the
Government until their existence is
rome Mee Train
evidence is produced that there are cove the Colony caff has fast regte the who have not bee
whion are registered by their employers. In any such
brought to notice will be dealt
for breach of
with accordance with the
regulations. It is not intended
aspion of exestation f
that adopted children should be infoduced. rogistered.
I am etc.,
cases which
be discoverd the
may employers will be dealt
(on this for 10 of
LEAGUE OF NATIONS UNION
Honorary Presidents:
Rt. Hon. Stanley Baldwin, M.P.
Rt. Hon. J. R. Clynes, M.P.
Rt. Hon. D. Lloyd George, O.M., M.P.
In reply please quote
INCORPORATED BY ROYAL CHARTER
15, Grosvenor Crescent London, S.W.1
Telegrams: "Freenat, Knights, London"
Telephone: Sloane 6161
Joint Presidents:
Rt. Hon. the Viscount Grey of Fallodon, K.G Rt. Hon. the Viscount Cecil, K.C.
Chairman of Executive Committee:
Professor Gilbert Murray, LL.D., D.Litt. Secretary:
J. C. Maxwell Garnett, C.B.E., Sc.D.
to whom all communications should be addressed.
31st March, 1931.
Dear Dr. Shiels,
we were grateful for the information given in your letter of February 23rd regarding the regulations governing the remuneration, inspection and control of Kui Tsai in Hong-
Kong, and I hesitate to trouble you further in this matter.
My Committee would, however, be glad to know whether these
regulations are being applied with satisfactory results and,
since I see that, in reply to a question put to you recently in the House, you referred to the existence of "a report giving the effect of the six months' working of these regulations" Ι am venturing to ask if you would be so good as to supply me
with a copy of this report for the information of my Committee.
The Report of the Governor of Hong-Kong, dated June 25th, 1930, and issued as a White Paper in December, contains one passage which seems to suggest that No. 5c of the regulations
has not been conformed with in all cases. The Governor states
that "apart from these cases which actually come to the Government's notice, I am informed on good authority that
in many cases Mui Tsai have been sent to the country homes in China of employers of the middle and upper middle classes." This surely constitutes "removal from the Colony" and should have been reported in accordance with the requirements of No. 5c of the regulations?
It is in the hope of obtaining further light on points
such as this that I am anxious to see the report to which you referred in your reply to lir. Campbell. I believe too, that
the second of the six-month enerts asked for from the
Governor is now due and I should be grateful if we might be
told if, and when, this will be published.
I note what you say about an account of the work of the
Society for the Protection of Children having appeared in
the Hong-Kong papers of January 1st, but so far have not
succeed in obtaining a copy of the paper in question.
Yours very truly,
Gilbert Murray.
Extract from "Berkshire Chronicle" of 27th March, 1931
"SLAVERY" IN THE EMPIRE.
DR. HASTINGS' REPLY
LADY SIMON.
POSITION OF MUI-TSAI.
In August, 1929, Lord Passfield sent out a despatch to the Governor (which is printed along with other correspondence on the subject as a White Paper Cmd. 8424, price 1s. 3d.), instructing the Gov. ernor that a section of this Ordinance should be brought into force immedi- ately, providing for the registration and remuneration of existing Mui-Tsai, and TO that special care should be taken to in-
form the population generally that the law was in force and that it would not be allowed to be a dead letter. The Gov- ; ernor was instructed at the same time to proceed at once to make regulations for the registration of Mul-Tsai, for their re- muneration, for their inspection and con- trol. The Ordinance was also to be amended so as to forbid the bringing into the colony of any new Mui-Tsai. Proposals for the institution of a society in Hong Kong on the same lines as the Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children in this country were also approved.
To the Editor of the "Chronicle." Sir, I much regret that I was preven- ted by my Parliamentary duties from attending the meeting organised by the League of Nations Union on March 16th
These instructions were carried out, last, at which Lady Simon was the chief speaker. According to newspaper reports registration of existing Mui-Tsai became Lady Simon stated that slavery was con- compulsory as from the 1st December, 1929, and no new Mui-Tsai could be now doned in Hong Kong, where there were introduced. I am informed by the some 10,000 child slaves owned by the Chinese. She advised her hearers to write Colonial Office that the number of Mui- Tsai registered at the beginning of July to their M.P. and as several have, very last was 4,299, and by the end of Novem- rightly, already done so, I decided to con- ber the number had already been reduced sult the Colonial Office to confirm my to 4,117. Thus, while there had been con- impression that there was but little foun- siderable doubt in some quarters as to the dation for this startling allegation. It
appears that Lady Simon's statement re- possibility of enforcing the new regula- ferred to the existence of Mui-Tsai in ions, the response was very satisfac- tory and the registration was carried Hong Kong. A Mui-Tsai is a family
through with gratifying success. It was domestic servant, in return for whose ser-made clear by proclamation, advertise- vices payment has been made to her par-ment, and pamphlet, that it was the firm ent or guardian. It has been repeatedly intention of the Government to enforce denied that the employment of Mui-Tsai,
as it exists in Hong Kong, could be called the law. In view of these circumstances I consider that any statement such as slavery except by gross misuse of that that attributed to Lady Simon is not only term. In Hong Kong the law recognises no rights of ownership whatsoever in favour of the employer as against the Mui-Tsai or as against her parents. The status of the Mui-Tsai is entirely a free status. If a Mul-Tsai wishes to leave her employer there is no legal obstacle to her doing so at any moment.
unfounded, but also unjust to the Colonial Government, which deserves Congratulation on its sincere and earnest effort to deal with what in view of local circumstances is a very difficult problem, and on the success which attended it.
'Slavery is not allowed to exist in the British Empire, and therefore it must be understood that Mui-Tsai are not the property of their employers.
Any Mui-Tsai who wish to leave their employers and return to their parents are entitled to do so at any time without the payment of money, but they should go to the Secretary for Chinese Affairs or the nearest Police Station in order that this may be arranged.
In conclusion may I quote the follow- ing Proclamation, which was issued by The employment of the Mul-Tsai is a the Government of Hong Kong in 1929, recognised custom in China. The Mui- and is, I understand, permanently dis- Tsai are, in general, well treated-the
played at police slations, steamer very name means "little sister "-and it wharves, and other public places:— is considered by Chinese public opinion to be obligatory on their employers to see that they are married or suitably provi- ded for when they are about 18 years of age. The institution is, however, admit- tedly repugnant to English ideas, and successive Secretaries of State for the Colonies have considered how so deeply rooted an institution could be ended. In 1923 an Ordinance was passed in the colony providing that no person should in the future take into his employment any Mui-Tsai, that any Mui-Tsai who wished to be restored to the custody of her parent or natural guardian, and any Mui-Tsai under the age of 18 whose par- ent or natural guardian wished her to be restored to his custody should without any payment whatsoever be restored to such custody unless the Secretary for Chinese Affairs saw some grave objection in the interest of such Mui-Tsai to such
restoration. At the same time the right of every Mul-Tsai to appeal to the Secre- tary for Chinese Affairs was reaffirmed, and imprisonment was prescribed as the penalty for gross ill-treatment of a Mui- Tsai,
"Mui-Tsai are warned that they must not leave their present homes without go- ing to the Secretary for Chinese Affairs
or nearest Police Station in order that
they may not fall into the hands of ill- disposed persons.
"Masters and mistresses are specially warned against any attempt to prevent Mui-Tsai from seeing the Secretary for Chinese Affairs or applying at a Police Station."
Yours faithfully,
SOMERVILLE HASTINGS.
43, Devonshire Street,
London, W.1. March 23rd, 1931.
Extract from "Berkshire Chronicle" of 20th March, 1931
SLAVES IN BRITISH COLONY.
LADY SIMON'S INDICTMENT
SIR JOHN SIMON TAKES THE
The startling statement that there were still between five and six million slaves in the world to-day was made by Sir John Simon at a meeting organised by the Reading branch of the League of Nations Union and the Society of Friends, and held in the Large Town Hall, Read- ing, on Monday. There was a large audience, presided over by Sir John Simon, who was supported by the Mayor of Reading (Councillor F. G. Sainsbury), Lady Simon, the Mayor of Wokingham (Alderman A. E. Priest), Mrs. Benyon, the Hon. Chas. Lambton, the Archdeacon of Berks (Ven. R. Wick- ham Legg), Dr. A. B. Howitt, Mr. E. R. Castle, Mr. John Sherborne, Mr. B. Wakelin (hon, secretary, Reading branch, League of Nations Union), etc.
The League and Slavery.
Sir John Simon, in his opening remarks, recalled the fact that many years ago he visited the Reading Town Hall, when their; candidate was Sir Rufus Isaacs, now Lord Reading. It was now a very great pleasure to come to Reading on an occasion which was not one of party controversy, but an occasion when they were calling upon all good men and women interested in the bet- terment of the world and prepared to help in practical steps to promote it, to join in this crusade. He was informed that the Reading branch of the League of Nations Union had membership of something like 3,000-a perfectly splen- did record. There would be
many people who held, as he held himself, that the creation of the League of Nations was the most important and permanent result of the war. What was not always remem- bered was that in the Covenant of the League of Nations was an undertaking by all who signed it to endeavour to stamp out slave trading throughout the world. For two or three years after, the Covenant work was done in other international direc- tions. Then A British statesman, Sir Arthur Steel Maitland, who was present officially at Geneva, called upon the League to set up an inquiry into the extent to which crude slavery still existed in the world. Many people of their generation had been rather disposed to think that the cru- sade carried on a century or more ago had ended in such complete success that slavery had been banished from the world.. But the League Commission discovered that as રી matter of fact slavery existed in its most awful forms-the absolute ownership of human creatures-with all the terrible con- sequences that must follow. The next step at Geneva, again under the leadership of British statesinen, Sir Austen Chamberlain and Lord Cecil, supported by statesmen in other countries, notably Dr. Nansen, was to bind the nations of the world together by a definite treaty. The anti-slavery conven- tion which resulted was signed by 33 states, including the United States, although not a member of the League.
An International Conscience Wanted. If slave trading was to be ended, con- tinued Sir John Simon, then slave owning must be ended, for, as in everything else, the supply and demand were related. There existed something like five to six million slaves in the world to-day; there were more actual slaves in the world to-day than were ever liberated as a result of Abraham Lin- colu's work in America, or who ever got their release as the result of the work of Wilberforce and Clarkson. The more they could get the mass of the people living in the world, men and women, to make their contribution towards an international con- science, the more it would be an effective, an elevating, a humane instrument. If they could only create this new instrument and make it effective, it was so much more likely to produce justice and fair play than any amount of armed force in the hands of any nation or combination of nations. (Ap- plause). The world was every year becom- ing more and more sensitive to public opinion. A remarkable instance had oc- curred in Liberia, that curious state founded on the West Coast of Africa for the purpose of receiving relased slaves from the United
States. As a result of the attention of the world being directed to conditions in that country a commission of the League was invited, and some of the facts recorded in their report were shocking indeed. But there could be no question that they were in a better position to remedy the evils existing in Liberia than they could ever have been if it had not been for the power- ful and potent force of public opinion.
An Appeal for Humanity. Sir John concluded: There are people who would suggest that we have enough evils in our own country. I have not found that the people who take the keenest and closest interest in this anti- slavery movement are people who show in- difference to the remedying of wrongs at home. I do not think you can divide people into compartments like that. The fact that you are responsive to an appeal for human- ity, for fair play for those who are weak and suffering and powerless, makes you a better patriot and a better Englishman. The measure of our own devotion to free- dom, the true extent to which we deserve and justify our own possession, depends upon the vigour with which we respond to the appeal for those who do not enjoy what we have. This wide view of the needs of the world and the future of the human raco should make every one of us a better citi- zen in the actual work of our own lives, our own homes and our own towns. (Applause).
Sir John Simon then vacated the chair, having to leave early in order to take part in a division in the House of Commons. The chair was taken by the Mayor of Reading.
Present Slave Conditions.
Lady Simon, in tracing the history of commercialised slavery, said Britain had a bad record. Fifty years before Columbus the Portuguese started the business; then eight nations competed for the monopoly of the slave trade, and Britain won. Almost everyone, even people in the ministry, was engaged in the trade in one way or another. Churches and chapels in Bristol were built on the profits of the trade, and Liverpool became wealthy as a consequence of it. In the 18th century it was in its most active form. Then came the spirit of those abolitionists who were moved to pity, and so began the movement to stop the slave trade under the British flag. Wilberforce worked for twenty years before he got the slave trade abolished. But to our shame in some parts of the world slavery still existed. There was every excuse for ignorance; there was no excuse for apathy. The League of Nations Commission had reported that there was slavery in blazing activity in 19 differ ent areas of the world to-day. Abyssinia the only Christian country which possessed slaves; it was, in fact, estimated that there were more slaves in the capital than there were free men. The procuring of these slaves was attended with the most horrible cruelties-husband was torn from wife, and child from mother. No human being was good enough to have complete control over any other human being. (Hear, hear). It was
very creditable that the British nation should have an outpost in the Sudan, of which every slave in Abys sinia had heard, where they knew, if once they could reach it, complete liberty was theirs. (Applause), No escaped slave had ever been sent back by Britain.
Child Slaves in Hong Kong. Arabia, as far as could be estimated, had 700,000 slaves, and in British, French and Italian Somaliland the different nations were constantly on the watch to capture slave traders from this country. There was a wicked device to help them get across the Red Sea, however, for the slaves were often marked as pilgrims to Mecca, thus making it more and more difficult to catch them. In China there were two million child slaves. There was only one way in which China could be got at through the League of Nations. That brought her to an English colony which condoned slavery, Hong Kong, where there were some 10,000 child slaves owned by the Chinese. She suggested that all present should write to their M.P. and ask what he was doing about that. Every person could do something if they only cared. She urged them to join the Anti-Slavery Society, and so help to redeem Britain's bad record by assisting those who were seeking to abolish slavery. Slavery was a terrible injustice to human beings; their crusade against it stood for the deep- est things the value of freedom, the hatred of oppression, and the conviction that the rights of an individual had nothing to do with caste, colour, creed or religion. (Ap plause).
Votes of thanks were accorded Sir John and Lady Simon, and the Mayor of Reading on the proposition of the Archdeacon of Berks, seconded by Mr. E. B. Castle (head master of Leighton Park School, Reading).
Lord Passfield.
Colonial Office.
London.S.W.1.
5.Sydney Buildings.
March 29th, 1931.
Mui tsal in Hon3 Cong.
Parliamentary Debates.
Vol.30.-No.46.
My Lord,
We desire to protest against the untrue, inexcusable, and misleading statements made by you in the House of Lords
on Thursday, March 26th.
Much as we shall regret the course, we feel it our duty, in the first place on behalf of the mui tsal in Hong Kong, and secondly to preserve our own honour, to expose by every possible means the untruthfulness and prevarication contained
in your statements.
We beg to draw your attention also to a letter which we 32 addressed to your Under-Secretary dated March 27th.
570x72759/30
At this stage, and in view of the action which we intend to take, we feel it well to point out to you that in our letter to the Colonial Office of November 26th, 1930, we offered to come to the Colonial Office with documentary evidence in support of our contentions, but we regret to say that we have never received even the courtesy of a reply to these offers.
We beg to remain, My Lord,
Your obedient servants
Whoal wword. I" Cond?"
Coch. Haplewood. (Tom)
Mr. Delahunt. 18 3.31.
Martin 108.3
Mr. Bighte Ellis
Mr. Tomlinson.
Sir C. Bottomley.
Sir J. Shuckburgh.
Sir G. Grindle.
Permt... of S.
Parly U.S. of S.
Secretary of State.
THE HONORARY SECRETARY,
82759/31.
Hong Kong.
Downing Street,
March, 1931.
THE ANTI-SLAVERY AND ABORIGINES
PROTECTION SOCIETY.
Gov. on 82758.
on 12.30.
In reply to your
letter of the 3rd of March,
I am etc., to transmit to you
for the inform? of your Committed,
a copy of
despatch No. 622
of the 4th of December, 1930,
from the Governor of Hong
Kong, on the subject of the
Mui Tsai system in the Colony.
The delay in answering
Your letter is regretted
My Lord,
GOVERNMENT HOUSE,
HONG KONG, 27th February, 1931.
I have the honour to acknowledge the
72759/5, receipt of Your Lordship's despatch No.396 of 30th
December, 1930, transmitting for my observations a copy of a communication from Lieutenant Commander and Mrs. H. L. Haslewood on the subject of the Mui-
tsai System in Hong Kong.
The writers allege that registration
of mui-tsai has been a partial failure, that the
Government has not taken adequate steps to make it a
success, that no attempt has been made to discover
unregistered mui-tsai, that the inspection and control
of mui-tsai are being entirely neglected and that no
steps are being taken to provide accommodation for
mui-tsai who may wish to be released.
3. Before proceeding to deal with these
allegations, I would remind Your Lordship that the
writers are not well qualified to express an authorit- ative opinion on conditions in this Colony. They were resident in Hong Kong for some three months ten years ago and have so far as I am aware no acquaintance with
either written or spoken Chinese. Like the officers
THE RIGHT HONOURABLE
LORD PASSFIELD,
&c., &c.,
of the Anti-Mui-t sai Society, from whom it would appear that their information is mainly derived, they have a thesis to maintain, and are apt to overlook such facts as do not fit in with certain pre-conceived ideas.
There is no evidence to show that registration has been a partial failure. The only bases for an estimate of the number of mui-tsai in the Colony are the census returns of 1921 and the mui-tsai register of 1930. During the intervening ten years considerable propaganda was being carried on against the system both in Hong Kong and in China, and it is not unreasonable to suppose that the number of mui-tsai in the Colony declined over that period. There is no doubt,
however, that a number of employers did return their mui-tsai to their relations when registration was introduced in some cases even against the will of the girls and their parents: but there is no justification for the suggestion that this was done merely to save the trouble and expense of "registering them and paying them a small wage". Having regard to the attitude adopted in certain quarters many employers rightly or wrongly felt that they ran the risk of being held up to obloquy and preferred to return the mui-tsai to their homes. There is no evidence that any of these girls were re-sold on the mainland nor of course in any case could a prosecution be instituted in Hong Kong for an offence committed in China.
It must be admitted that the anticipation that registration would be widely evaded has not been bome out by the facts and the response of employers to the regulations has been most gratifying.
It is untrue to say that the Government took inadequate steps to bring the regulations to the
notice of the public. From the beginning full details
were published in the local press and these articles
were subsequently followed up by a house to house
distribution of leaflets. I assume that the writers
do not read the vernacular papers and thus the articles
which appeared did not come to their notice.
I do not understand on what grounds the
writers conclude that "no further efforts are to be made
to discover unregistered mui-t sai". Since registration
closed a certain number have in fact been discovered and
fifteen convictions have been obtained against employers
on this ground. The writers adduce no proof of their allegation, and the fact that comparatively few unregi st- ered mui-tsai have been found might equally well mean that there is not a large number in the Colony.
With regard to the inspection and control
of registered mui-tsai no additional Government inspector
has been appointed nor am I satisfied that such an
appointment can be justified, more especially in view
of the present financial position. In this connection
I would point out that the Hong Kong Society for the Protection of Children has appointed one inspector Chinese lady - and is considering the appointment of a second, while the Secretary for Chinese Affairs has the assistance in such matters of the police inspector seconded to his department for work in connection with the Women and Girls Protection Ordinance. Should, however, the need for an additional Government Inspector be at any time clearly indicated I am prepared to consider such an
appointment.
No difficulty has been experienced hitherto in finding accommodation for mui-tsai found to be "unhappy
or neglected" During the past twelve months the Salvation Army has opened a Home for this purpose among others. The scheme for the removal of the Po Leung Kuk
to a more suitable site has already made considerable
headway; plans have been prepared for a building estimated
to cost about $150,000; and subscriptions have come in so freely that more than three quarters of this sum has been
raised in the space of a few months. The Government with
Your Lord ship's concurrence has contributed free of cost a large and valuable site on the outskirts of the city.
The new building will be in every respect more suitable for its purpose than the old. It will provide accommodat- ion for more inmates and will be capable of extension if this should prove necessary.
I find it somewhat difficult to follow
the reasoning in the later paragraphs of this letter. The writers appear to feel something akin to disappoint- ment on hearing that mui-t sai in general appear to be well-nouri shed. But surely this fact is relevant. Recent legislation has defined beyond doubt the position and rights of a mui-tsai and the duties of her employers; and the only matter now in dispute is the question of her treatment as an individual. The opinion of an officer who has seen and spoken to over four thousand of these girls should I feel carry considerable weight. That cases of ill-treatment have occurred is not disputed and every effort is made to have the offenders severely dealt with; but ill-treatment of children is unfortunately not unknown in other countries than China. I will only add that it is by no means unusual for "Chinese children to apply to
British men for release".
10. The suggestion has more than once been made
that registration should be extended to include adopted daughters as well as mui-tsai, and this proposal is again put forward by the writers of the letter under review. It is not a proposal that I should care to adopt without
the most careful consideration. As the law stands to-day
the onus is placed on the adopter of showing that the girl is a foster daughter and not a mui-tsai, while the powers of the Secretary for Chinese Affairs with regard to the guardianship of such girls are clearly set out in
the women and Girls Protection Ordinance. So far there
has been nothing to show that the fiction of adoption is
being used to evade responsibilities imposed by the laws
relating to mui-t sai, and there would appear to be at
the moment no necessity to take action on this particular
11. In conclusion I cannot but feel that I should
be justified in entering a protest against the continuance
of these unwarranted attacks upon the colonial government
by irresponsible persons who are not in a position to
verify the truth of information derived from what is
evidently an unreliable source. This controversy has I
submit shown that an accusation of "lack of balance and
weakness of thought" does not come well from Lieutenant
Commander and Mrs. Haslewood.
I have the honour to be,
My Lord,
Your Lordship's most obedient, humble servant
Governor, &c.
The Under-Secretary of State.
Colonial Office.
5.Sydney Buildings.
March 27th, 1931.
Child Slavery in Hong Kong.
Generally speaking, we have endeavoured, in spite of great provocation, to use restrained language both when writing and
speaking on the above subject. There are times, however, when language of a vehement nature is necessary to convey without any question or doubt a considered statement.
We do not hesitate, therefore, to describe your answers to Mr Campbell on the 12th March as being absolutely untrue; and not only are they untrue, but in our opinion the only alternative to their being deliberately untrue can be the supposition that you cannot have taken the trouble to grasp the facts relating to this disgraceful slavery in Hong Kong.
We emphatically state that inspection, control and remuneration of the Mui Tsai, as ordered by Lord Passfield in his despatch of August 22nd, 1929, has not been carried out. If your statement
in the House of Commons is correct, that it has been carried out "in its entirety" it means that the whole of the Hong Kong Press, the Secretary of the Anti-Mui Tsai Society, the Secretary of the
Protection of Children Society, and various other reliable
correspondents are deliberately lying.
You must be aware that one cadet, and one cadet
only, has been appointed as addition to the staff of the
Secretary for Chinese Affairs in Hong Kong, and we therefore
wonder how you dare stand up in the House of Commons in your
responsible position, and suggest that the obviously big work
of inspection, control and remuneration can be carried out in
these circumstances.
mui tsai dealt with are almost entirely those which are brought
Complaints Lo to the notice of the Secretary for Chinese Affairs by the Police,
A by the Anti-Mui Tsai Society, by other informers, and in a
limited number of cases by the girls themselves, and not by
Government inspectors.
The actual facts are that the cases of
As, however, you state that inspection has been
carried out in its entirety, we invite you to give details of
any such inspection, how many inspectors have been appointed, the date of their appointment, whether they include any women, and why no mention is made of these inspectors, (if they exist), in the Governor's 6 monthly Reports ?
We also challenge you to produce any evidence of
any scheme to ensure that remuneration of mui tsai is being
enforced. We trust you will not reply that these questions
are covered by an Ordinance, for we have already had sufficient
proof in the past of the uselessness of an ordinance when no
steps whatever are taken to see that the terms of the ordinance
are carried out.
We trust also that we shall not be told, as is usually
the case, that our letter is being forwarded to the Hong Kong
Governor for his observations. You have made definite statements
and we call upon you, and not the Governor, to substantiate
We now refer to Lord Passfield's statement in the
House of Lords yesterday, which can only be described as utterly
disgraceful and contemptible. Both Lord Passfield and you must
be well aware that the Mui Tsai system is not and never has been
adoption, and a reference to your files will show you that
leading Chinese authorities in Hong Kong have asserted that what-
ever the mui tsai system involves, it does not involve adoption.
Is not Lord Passfield aware that so-called "adopted
daughters" did not come into the scheme of registration ?
Taking into account the wording of the Deed of Sale of these
children it would appear that Lord Passfield does not understand
the meaning of adoption. It might be a benefit to him if he
studied the Adoption of Children Act of 1926 where the status
of an adopted child is clearly laid down. It might also
prevent him from prostituting the honourable practice of adoption.
It is of small importance that Lord Passfield by his
reply should make himself the laughing stock of the world, and in
particular of the Far East, but it is a matter of great impor-
tance that by his reply this country should lay itself open to
the just accusation of utter hypocrisy and untruthfulness.
But the principal point is that of your joint con-
temptible actions, the effect will be to support and strengthen
the owners as against the slaves, and it is our intention to
refute these statements of yours by every possible means and
to bring you out into the open to face these charges,i.e. that
you have dishonoured your word and the word of the nation to
helpless little children and girls.
We also intend to draw the attention of the public
to the Government's participation, (we think this is the right
word) in the official placing of girls in brothels in the Colony,
and to the unsatisfactory answers you have given with regard to the
dead bodies of children found in the streets of Hong Kong.
yours faithfully
Ith tracksword. I" Como" C.B.L. Harlewood. (mm)
A Child Slave of Hong Kong
(Sold for 96 dollars in the Colony)
Child Slavery in Hong Kong
The Attitude of the Church of England
Associated Societies
Lt. Commander & Mrs. H. L. Haslewood
(No copyright Reserved)
This is the case 13/in
67838,34
Child and Girl slavery, (the Mui Tsai system) continues in the British Crown Colony of Hong Kong.
Four thousand mui tsai, who are in fact slaves, are reg- istered. The orders given by the British Government on August 22nd, 1929, that machinery should be set going forth- with to ensure, with respect to the existing mui tsai, their inspection, control, remuneration, and when desired, their release, have not been carried out by the Hong Kong Government.
In the White Paper, CMD. 3735, December, 1930, the Governor of Hong Kong said: "I do not consider that any further measures are at present required to promote the policy expressed in the existing law.
Thus our pledge to these slave girls and children remains unhonoured, and our accusations of slavery against other nations, while concealing and condoning our own guilt in the matter, become mere hypocrisy. When we have abolished slavery in our own colonies, we shall have clean hands to extend in help towards the total abolition of slavery through- out, the world.
In order to understand the position, the following quota- tion is made from a deed of sale in Hong Kong, the original of which is in our possession. It is typical of the thousands and thousands of similar transactions which have taken place beneath our flag since Hong Kong was first ceded to us as a barren rock in 1841.
On the 4th November, 1929, Poon Fook Din, a girl child nine years of age, was sold to a Chinese woman residing at 5, Hill Road, Hong Kong, for the "purchase price" of 110 dollars. The deed contains the following provision:-
"Should there be any mystery as to the origin of the girl, or she may desert home with her mother, the intermediary is held responsible to search for the girl and restore her to the owner without fail. To avoid unreliability of a verbal promise this deed is made as proof."
Here is the translation of another deed of sale, curtailed for lack of space. A child, aged 11, was introduced by a go-between to a purchaser who agreed to take her. Due stipulation and agreement were made betwen all parties and a price of 240 dollars was offered-The deed was made and the transaction completed on this day (17th day of the 1st moon), 1929. The price was fully paid to me (the mother)-- The girl was handed over to the purchaser on the very day to take home, who shall have the right to change her name and make her wait upon them." The deed continues, "When
she grows up. the purchaser shall also have the right to get her married either as a wife or a concubine, and no inter- ference shall be allowed. After the girl is sold, no retraction or redemption shall be allowed. This is an open sale and purchase, and is not a case of kidnapping.
In case of any mystery as to the origin of the girl, the seller of the girl shall settle it with the go-between, and the purchaser shall not be responsible. After the girl is sold, each party shall acquiesce in heaven's decree in case of any mis- fortune. To avoid the unreliability of a verbal promise this deed is made as proof."
Here is further news from the British colony of Hong Kong. During the year 1929, 1,851 dead bodies of children were found by the police in the streets and elsewhere in the colony of Hong Kong." Letter from Secretary of State for the Colonies, February 18th, 1931.
In the years 1925-1929, inclusive, 6,708 dead bodies of child- ren were picked up in the streets and elsewhere in the colony of Hong Kong. Report of British Inspector General of Police in Hong Kong for 1929.
In view of the above facts, it is most disquieting to note the negative attitude towards this question shown by the Church of England and its associated societies, with a few rare exceptions.
No bishop, for example, has ever raised the question in the House of Lords. And surely the time has come when every- one is entitled to ask those Religious Societies which are rep- resented in Hong Kong for a clear statement of their attitude, and whether any definite action is being taken by them to- wards effecting the abolition of this slavery, and the reasons for their omission to make any continued protest in the matter as is being done so consistently by other organisations.
H. L. HASLEWOOD (Lt.-Comdr.)
C. B. L. HASLEWOOD (Mrs.)
5, Sydney Buildings,
March, 1931.
Note Full details of the Mui Tsai system are contained in our book 'Child Slavery in Hong Kong," published by The Sheldon Press (Price, 2/6).
THE BODIES OF THE CHILDREN.
On the Festival of Mary, on our Lady's Festal Day,
The Mothers of the Empire will be gathering to pray; They will gather in the House of God, and each the other greet,
The vaulted roof resounding with the echo of their feet.
In the Port of Fragrant Waters*, off the coast of far Cathay,
The Mothers of the Empire will be gathering to pray; Where they pass to the Cathedral, and each one the other greets,
The bodies of the little ones are cast into the streets.
The bodies of the little ones for nigh a hundred years,
Have been sold for silver dollars and have paid in blood and tears; While the mothers go a-mothering and each the other greets, The bodies of the little ones are bartered in the streets.
They are bartered into brothels, they are beaten into shame,
They are sold for vilest uses into hovels of ill-fame; While the mothers go a-mothering, and each the other greets,
The bodies of the children are defilèd in the streets.
In the Port of Fragrant Waters*, off the coast of far Cathay, I can see a Figure passing and He sees the mothers pray; And He sees them meet and chatter as each one the other greets, Where the bodies of His children have been flung into the streets.
The Mothers of the Empire where the British standard flies, In that distant Christian colony beneath the alien skies, While they're gathering together and each one the other greets, Will they heed the piteous bodies tumbled out into the streets?
*British Colony of Hong Kong.
C. B, L. HASLEWOOD.
A.B.C. PRESS LTD,, BATH
Telephone: Victoria 6188
Telegrams: "Voiceless, London "
NATIONAL UNION OF
OF SOCIETIES FOR EQUAL
15, DEAN'S YARD, WESTMINSTER, S.W.1
Office Hours 9.30- 5.30
Saturdays
9.30-12.30
CITIZENSHIP
Hon Treasurer: MRS. ALFRED HUGHES
Chairman of Parliamentary Committee: MRS. HUBBACK
President:
MRS. CORBETT ASHBY
Chairman of Executive Committee : MRS. STOCKS
Hon. Secretary:
MRS. RYLAND
General and Parliamentary Secretary : MRS. GERTRUDE HORTON
19th March, 1931.
Dear Sir,
Child Slavery in Hong Kong
I beg to inform you that at the Annual Council Meeting of
the National Union of Societies for Equal Citizenship, which was
held in London last week, and at which delegates from affiliated
Societies all over Great Britain were present, the following
Resolution was passed:
The N.U.S.E.C. in Annual Council assembled calls upon the
Secretary of State to fulfil without delay, the pledge made by the Colonial office to abolish the iniquitous custom of Mui Tsai or Child Slavery in Hong Kong. It urges as a first step the effective enforcement of the Female Domestic Service Amendment Ordinance 1929, which prohibits the employment of any further mui tsai in the Colony, and provides for the free conditions of employmen the registration and remuneration of existing mui tsai. The Council urges further, that adequate machinery be provided for the care and supervision of mui tsai and the appointment of women inspectors.
Yours faithfully,
A Hortow
General & Parliamentary Secretary.
The Rt. Hon. J. Ramsay MacDonald.
Mer Boyd
After speaking to
Mr Mathers, I have
sent him that portin
of the extract dealing
with H. Kong PHM.ZG
25/3/1981.
Will you Kindly
send me tomorr forenoon the paper I went to the office Cash Friday with Lady simon's speech
on mui Isaia at
Reading. Lond Kinnouce
منون مسه منه
it when he puts his question in the Lords
my firend whe
is in close touch
with his Londolite wishes me to get
the passer for him.
it returner
if it is required in the office.
Yours sourcerely
Somashers
NATIONAL COUNCIL OF WOMEN.
CAMBRIDGE AND DISTRICT BRANCH.
PRESIDENT:-THE MAYORESS.
Chairman of Committee
MRS. ROOTHAM.
Vice-Chairmen of Committee
MRS. ALAN GRAY.
LADY DARWIN.
Hon. Treasurer
MRS. BOWES, 21, Newton Road.
Hon. Secretaries
MRS. HARTREE,
21, Bentley Road, Cambridge.
Tel. 807.
MRS. E. W. JOHNSON,
Cheshunt College, Cambridge.
Tel. 422.
March 22nd. 1931.
Dear Lord Passfield,
I am instructed by my Committee to forward to you the fol-
lowing resolution, passed unanimously at a recent meeting.
The Committee of the Cambridge Branch of the National Council
of Women support the attempts made by the British Authorities to
suppress the practice of Child Slavery in Hong Kong, and asks the
Colonial Office that, in order that these attempts may be success-
ful, women inspectors shall be appointed to supervise the libera-
tion of the Mii-Tsai."
I may add that the resolutionhas the approval of the Head-
quarters Executive Committee of the National Council of Women.
Yours faithfullu,
RECEIVED
ACKD BY P.C.
23 MAR 1931
2. Burlington St.
March 20. 1931.
مت 72759/30
Dear Sir.
You were very kind in giving me information re the Mui Tsai question in Hong Kong during the previous year. I should vbe very grateful if for some further details.
How many inspectors have been appointed to see that the registered Mui Tsai are properly treated and paid wages if over ten years of age.
I should be very grateful if you would tell me what watch is kept over the Mui Tsai so that it is known if any of them die or marry or disappear.
What is being done for the unregistered slave girls ? Would you tell me also if "adopted daughters" are going to be registered I
Yours sincerely,
Katharine Cholmelay
(er) peny
ORGAN "The Catholic Citizen "-2d. Monthly
Tel.-Museum 4181
St. Joan's Social & Political Alliance q
Executive Committee-
Miss Douglas Irvine, M.A., Chairman. Miss Leonora de Alberti.
Miss Barry, Hon. Secretary.
Miss Pauline M. Brandt, Hon. Treasurer.
Miss E. Butler-Bowdon .
Miss Barclay Carter, Lic-ès-L.
Miss Fedden.
Miss Sheilah Hynes.
Miss Jeffery.