TRAFFIC IN WOMEN.

Auckland Star, Volume LXIV, Issue 88, 15 April 1933, Page 3 (Supplement)

TRAFFIC IN WOMEN.

EASTERN , CONDITIONS.

TRAGIC VICTIMS.

The League of Nations has just issued the report of the Commission of Inquiry on the traffic in women and children in the East. This inquiry, which con- , tinues those undertaken in Europe (including the Mediterranean Basin), and in the two Americas, has been helped by the generosity of the New York Bureau of Social Hygiene, which has ,met the expenses. The commission which went to the East was composed of Mr. Bascom Johnson (United States), chairman, Mme. Alma Sundquiet (Sweden), and M. Karol Pmdor (Poland). The commission left Europe in October, 1930, and returned in March, 1932, after visiting Japan, China, Hongkong, Macao, the Philippine Islands, Indo-China, Netherlands East Indies, Straits Settlements, the Federated and non-federated Malay States, Siam, India, Ceylon, Persia, Iraq, the territories of the Levant under French mandate, and Palestine. The general part of the report, which has been drawn up by M. Pindor, studies the traffic, grouping the victims by races, and examines the position of Western women. It shows that in the Middle and Far East these women seek only Western men, as opposed to the Near East, where they also accept natives. It then describes the position of Russian women, victims of the international traffic, in the Far East. These are exiles and refugees as a result of the events in Russia. Part of these unfortunate women, deprived of every means of livelihood, are lost in the lonely districts of Manchuria, where, in exchange for their upkeep, they practice prostitution. More or less large numbers of Chinese victims of the traffic are to bo found in all the territories' of the Far East to the south of China and in the Middle East as far west as India. The report studies the social conditions that go to help the recruiting of these Chinese women, and gives much information on the subterfuges used by the traffickers in various Eastern ports. The traffic in Japanese women, and also the characteristic aspects of the demand for these women in China and outside China, are studied in detail. The women of the Philippine Islands and the Anamite women in Indo-China do not appear to be victims of the international traffic. There is a certain movement among Siamese women towards the Federated and non-federated Malay States bordering Siam. The report shows that it is possible to pass the frontier between Siam and the Malays secretly by leaving the train before the frontier and crossing the jungle on foot. Cases of traffic in Malay women are almost nonexistent. Very few Hindu, Persian, Arab or Jewish women are victims of the international traffic. The report notes an unimportant movement of African women towards Asia. The report, after reviewing the various countries, submits considerations and suggestions to the Council of the League. It insists on the necessity for international cooperation, and suggests the creation of central authorities in each country to receive information concerning the traffic in women and children and exchange this information with each other. The inquirers emphasise the value for States to accede to the 1904 Agreement and the Conventions of 1910 and 1921. They consider that licensed houses form the surest market for international traffickers, and their suppression would make it possible to attack the evil at its root.

The inquirers recommend collaboration between the authorities, missions and private organisations. They consider that the further spread of education will help to strengthen the campaign against the traffic. The Council advises women's societies to make a careful study of it and conaider tlio practical action involved.