The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1856-1888, 1870-04-30
The Passport Law.

\ case has come to our knowledge the past
week that seems to call for some comment.
Under the passport law of this kingdom " 1t
shall be lawful for the collectors Of customs, and
in case Of their sickness OF absence, for their
respective deputies, to grant passports to all
applicants for the same, as provided in the last
preceding section, upon the payment of one dollar,
the price of the stamp, except in the following
cases FirSt-In case of the Indebtedness or
obligation to pay money, Of the applicant, to
the government or to any private individual, of
which the collector has received written notice,
accompanied by Il request not t. grant a pass
port - etc. In case the master or commanding
officer of u vessel takes away a person without 4
passport he . shall be subject to a fine of fifty
dollars, and he liable for all debts which such
person may have left unpaid ILL this kingdom {;
and if he shall fail to pay such fine and debts,
such vessel shall be subject to seizure, condemna-
ton and sale for the payment thereof, - etc.
1t having come to the knowledge of the cred
itors of a party, who had made arrangements to
leave this kingdom in a ship-oEwar, they to
protect themselves filed the usual notice and
protest at the Custom-h house. This action was
supposed to be sufficient for their protection but
WildL was lutlE u lIlSC 10 ulu lBiG IIClE ucDlOT
had been among his friends and companions and
through them had influenced no less Il parsonage
than the Minister Resident of the United States
to address the Foreign Office and ask for the
issuance of a passport in behalf of the debtor
which we understand has been done, probably
under the section which reads as follows
The Minister of Foreign Affairs may issue passports to all
Ministers, diplomatic agents, and Ccn>uls Of the King, sent
abroad, AMI TO the ConsuIs and other commercial agents OF
foreign governments, and to all subjects of the kingdom going
abroad, who may desire the same
Recently 4 young man left these Islands, by
the Idaho, who had failed to procure a passport,
who however was not a debtor, and On the return
of the steamer the captain was notified that a
fine of fifty dollars was registered against him.
This may seem harsh, but it was the letter and
spirit of the law, aud it's enforcement was quite
proper. Our tradesmen and others need such q
law for their protection from the losses which
absconding debtors would entail.
The questions arise, are the passports which
issue from the Foreign Office to override the notice
ard protest filed with the collectors of customs ?
Was it not meant that the Foreign Office pass
ports should be of use and service to persons
leaving this kingdom to travel in lands where
passports are necessary? 1t is hardly to be
supposed that the intention of the law is to
protect any absconding debtor who may through
friends, or for other consideration, secure a note
from a foreign Minister or Consul to the Foreign
Office asking for a passport, which shall be an
"open sesame " at the outer portals of the king
dom. If the Foreign Office passports are so
powerful it is time that oar tradesmen should ask
the repeal of so much of the 453d Section as refers
4" TO all subjects of the kingdom going abroad,
who may desire the same II this is not done any