THE ABOLITION OF CHILD SLAVERY IN HONGKONG.

White Ribbon, Volume 28, Issue 326, 18 August 1922, Page 6

THE ABOLITION OF CHILD SLAVERY IN HONGKONG.

The “International Woman Suffrage News” for April contains some particulars with regard to tin* system of “mui t.sai,” as practised in the British colony of Hongkong, whereby the children of the poor are sold at a very ten. det age by their parents, and t>ccoi..f practically the property of their owners. Thus system has been called by the British Government of Hongkong “adoption,” but is in fact nothing less than slavery, seeing tha* the un. fortunate child is treated in all respects like a slave, being dej rived of all individual rights and liberties, sold and resold, exploited without reserve, made to work without pay, and is absolutely in the power of her owner, who can do exactly what he or she likes with her, the only difference being that whereas a slave is one whase servitude is life-long, that of u “mui tsai" is supposed, theoretically at least, to cease when she attains womanhood. The inclusion in the document of sale of such clauses as “to be disposed of as the payer thinks tit." and “no enquiry of her whereabouts, or in the event of her death, is permitted.” clearly shows that the question of her life or death is absolutely in the hands of her owner, and it is an undeniable fact that she is liable to all kinds of ill-treatment. It is also frequently heard that a “mui tsai,” after being ravished by her master or members of his household, may be discarded with or without provision. There has been much agitation for several years, and especially during the last eighteen months or more, for the

abolition of thus system, the only way of removing the evil being by the cancelling of these documents of sale by the Government and the refusal to recognise their validity. The “Vote” of March Slat tells as that “In regard to the system of child slavery prevailing in Hongkong, the Colonial Office, on more than one occasion, pleaded that the system was a Chinese system, and in the best interests of the Chinese population of that colony. But people in England knew that it was entirely against the tmditions of this country to bolster up child slavery anywhere on British soil, because under no conditions could we tolerate child slavery in Great Britain itself. Continuous pressure has been brought to bear upon the Colonial Office for the prevention of this cruel practice. Tn February last

« meeting wa.- held in London, under the chairmanship of the Viscountess Gladstone, when a resolution was passed asking that a representative Commission of men and women should visit Hongkong and confer with the Chinese and European communities ‘in order to devise some practical scheme for preventing the buying and selling of human beings as slaves.’ “ We learn from the last number oi ths 'lnternational Woman Suffrage News” that thus agitation has at last produced some effect. In reply to questions asked in the House of Commons, Mr Churchill states: “I have received a telegram from the Governor of Hongkong stating that his Government, in consultation with the societies for the protection and abolition of *mui tsai,’ will draw up a scheme for the abolition of the system as soon us possible. Both the Government and the Societies point out that this process mast take some little time. I have directed the issue, without delay, of a proclamation making it cleai to employers and employed that the status of ‘mui tsai,’ as understood in China, will not in future be recognised in Hongking. and in particular, that no compulsion of any kind to prevent girls over the age of 12 leaving their adopted parents at any time will be allowed.” After dwelling on the difficulties and dangers of making this change too suddenly. he concludes: “Although it is obvious that an old-established custom cannot l>e altered at a moment’s notice. I desire to make it flour that both the Governor and I are determined to effect the abolition of the system at the earliest practicable date, and I have indicated to the Governor that I expert the change to be carried out within the yeor.” All right-minded men and women will rejoice that this long-standing system of cruelty is to he put an end to. Tt is unthinkable that slavery of any kind should be tolerated in any country under British rule, and we sincerely hope that Mr Churchill’s promise will be speedily fulfilled, and that this year will see the liberation of these unfortunate little slave girls.