Viscountess ASTORasked the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies whether a draft Bill has been introduced into the Hong Kong Legislative Council for regulating the mui tsai system; whether, under this Bill, the minimum wage of a mui tsai under 15 years of age is to be in future about 1½d. a day, and for those over 15 years of age 2d. a day; whether the Bill contains any limit for the hours these children may be compelled to work; and, if not, whether he will recommend that such a limit shall be incorporated in the Bill and a provision made for off-time for educational purposes?
§ Mr. ORMSBY-GORELegislation has been introduced by the Government of290W Hong Kong with a view to the eventual abolition of the "mui-tsai" system in the Colony. The draft Regulations provided for the payment, of a minimum wage of $1 a month to girls between 10 and 15 years of age, and $1½ a month for girls over 15 years old. The Bill as presented to the Legislative Council contained no specific figures as to hours of work, but provided that no employer should overwork or illtreat a mui tsai. I understand that, the Bill has now been passed, but I have no information yet as to the alterations, if any, that were ultimately made in the Bill.