The Hawaiian gazette., 1878-08-21

Nh. EDTroR: The late Legislative Assembly passed
an Act to regulate the landing of passengers at the
different ports Of this Kingdom" From the title Of
the Act it would be presumed that it referred to all
passengers arriving at ports in this Kingdom; but
after reading the preamble it will be found that the
Act operates only as against passengers from Asia
bound to the of South America that in fact it
Chinese passengers, and is meant to apply TO
but class of passengers arriving at ports.
The preamble says: +" Whereas large bodies of emf
grants are now passing from Asia to the coast Of
South America, and the ships conveying them
liable stop at ports Of thi. Kingdom and whereas
farther it is ine1pedent that such passengers should
be allowed 10 land in considerable numbers without
being subjected to observation ind inspection" After
reading the preamble, would suppose that the
passengers it considered iDeIpedient allow
to land in numbers, emigrants passing from
Asia to the coast OF South America but after reading
Section l, it is evident that the passengers whose in
tention it is remain in this Kingdom cannot land
without first obtaining the written assent of the
Governor Collector. Section / reads " That
any ship passing from China or any other Asiatic
port and calling at any port in this Kingdom the
voyage, shall not be permitted to disemb passen-
gers al port IN hlnRuOm without nTst
obtained the assent in writing Of the Governor
of the Island, Collector Of the port at which
such vessel shall call" This Act was doubtless
passed enable the vessels in the coolie afhc be-
tween China and Peru to touch at this port for
cruits, and its operation will be to prevent the Chi
passengers, socaed, putting foot upon our terri
tory making them while in port prisoners board
the vessel bringing ttem. writer 10 the Advertiser
says II rs to prevent the of what il known
the Gleusannox affair. This affair is best explained
by n n m If fha NJ fha Sn
preme Court, viz: "A contract labOrer proceeding
from Macao TO Costa Riea his ship touching at Ho-
nolulu may not be detained board aud deprived Of
the right to Shore but stands in the position
of passenger" This Act will also work to give the
color of law practice prevailing here that is, of
keeping the intended laborer board the vessel
bringing him to shores until he shall make 4 con-
tract with bis employer. So jealous Great Britain
of her good name and fame that laborer conveyed
to the shores of her colonies is permitted to make
contract until he shall have been on shore for the
space Of twenty four hours.
Already the newspapers Of San Francisco have
coupled our name with the coolie traffic of Peru,
most assuredlY without tason cause, until the
passage and PRONUNCIATION of the act 1 treat
ing of.
The writer Of the Adrerser affects to believe that
the act is good because it will work to prevent
the introduction of smallpox, cholera, or other
dreaded diseases but when consider the quarau-
tine regulations of port and the large power given
Board Of Health, the force Of this reasoning is
lost. Again we have more to dread from disease by
passengers from San Francisco than from China.
The short run from San Francisco does not suffice
for the Development of the diseases most fear,
and it is possible with every care to introduce
disease from that source. while the passage from
China is sufficient in duration to develOpe any dis
ease, that be careless if infected by per-
sons from that quarter. II the good of
individual is precious cannot believe that the good
name of a collection of individuals can be less so
aud for this think this a mischievous one
We do not know but that the progressive policy of
China, of which have evidence in the embassy to
Washington, may comprehend treaty with this
kingdom, and the establishment Of consulate here.
should this be the it would be better for
be in the habit of dealing justly and fairly with the
natives Of that wonderful empire.
0. CARTER.