Since the agitation against the mul-tsai—slave girl—system was com~ menced in Parliament with special regard to its existence in Hongkong, the matter has repeatedly come up for mention. As the result of efforts some years ago the system was brought under control, through the enforced registration of the mul-tsai, while official supervision was designed to prevent the abuses which did so much to bring the whole practice In disrepute, Legislation was enacted for the protection of these young servant girls, and in cases Wwhere cruelty was proved against mistresses Severe punishment followed. It is but natural that so long as the stigma of slavery attaches to a system in which young girls are purchased to act as servants, its existence in a [British colony would be resented. Abolition presents some difficulties. Tt has been the British policy to avoid as far as possible interference with the habits of the inhabitants of its colonies, though at times this has been set aside with considerable Armpess, The problem which presenia itself in the case of the mul-sal is by no means easy. Generally sold into servitude because of the
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.