The mui-tsai problem continues to provoke attention, the latest body to discuss the matter being the Society for the Protection of Children, whose executive committee, a representative body with influential foreign and Chinese membership. At its monthly meeting, a member brought forward a motion desiring that the Government furnish the society with an advance copy of the proposed Bill which it is likely to introduce in the near future on the subject. Despite the fact that the society's constitution charges it with interest in all matters pertaining to the well-being of children and even specifies as one of its objects the e legi. lation where considered ¢fecessary, the resolution was heavily Wefeated.
The principal ground for objection to approaching the Government on the subject was that the issue is an intensely controversial one. and that if the society were to intervene in the matter, it might be wrecked by dissension. So, its name notwith-fanding. the society still confines its activities to relief work of various kinds, with particular reference to infant welfare amongst the poorer classes. Thanks to the generosity of a Chinese resident, it has just opened a creche specially for Chinese babies whose mothers are at work a! day.
The usual custom among this c of women is to place their offspring in charge of people who are in no sense fit to look after infants. at a cost which absorbs about one-third of the mothers earnings. In the new creche, the babies will be cared for free of charge by Canadian Sisters, and be supplied with suitable food in hygienic surroundings.
Meanwhile, there is apprehension among the belter class Eh that the lo introduces in dealing with the mui-tsai problem may result in a of inspection which will make inroads on the privacy of the kam But such fears may be found to be altogether ' ground
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.