The Hawaiian gazette. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu, Hawaii]) 1865-1918, 1890-12-09
THE CHINESE LABOR ACT.

This morning we publish
the act Familiarity known as above
Its title provides for authorizing
the introduction of Chinese agricul
tural laborers and for amending
the Chinese Restriction Act Of
1887. Paragraph 2 of section 5 Of
said law authorized the Minister Of
Foreign Affairs to permit the intro.
duction of three hundred Chinese
agricultural or mechanical laborers
each quarter years. Although the
law went into effect March l, 1888,
and was therefore in force over
two years and eight months, yet
no labor at all was introduced under
its provisions. Over three thousand
might have been brought in but
the recent Ministry was most
thoroughly convinced of the mex
pediency of permitting the intro
duction of any more Chinese and
absolutely refused to permit the
act to be taken advantage of. They
adopted this course as only con-
sistent in carrying out their policy
of Chinese restriction and exclu-
sion. But could the introduction
of Chinese have been accompanied
with proper restrictions, not pro-
vided by the act they might have
pursued a different course. Ex-
cept as amended by this act and
another relative to the duration of
return passports or permits, the
laws of 1878 are still in force.
The great stringency in the field
labor market of to-day renders this
law of great Importance just now.
There has been an idea that the
law was loosely drawn, that it was
involved and uncertain in it's re-
quirements and would prove of
little value. But an examination
seems to show that this is not so.
1t Is provided that, upon the APP
proval of the Board of Immigra-
ton, the Minister of Foreign AT
fairs may issue especial permits
for persons of Chinese birth. Such
permits may be issued to such per-
sons or corporations as require
labor in their agricultural pursuits.
The conditions embodied in the
permit authorize residence
of not over five years, and
prohibit the holder from en-
gaging in any other eccupa-
ton in the country excepting
agriculture. 1t provides that if he
be found out of employment or in
any other he may at once be de-
ported; and that reservation from
his wages shall be made till seventy
five dollars have been deposited
with the Board of immigration to be
used topay his passage home, which
deposit shall be forfeited If he de-
serts his employer or engages in
any other occupation, and lastly
that such laborer shall not be en-
titled to the rights of Hawaiian
citizenship as to the term of resi-
dence or citizenship.
Upon the expiration OF such term
the Minister may extend it five
years.
The applicant for the permits
must file a bond for seventy five
dollars for each permit issued. The
condition of the bond is severe, but
not too much so. They
are in brief that the laborer shall
be furnished with work and at the
of his term be surren-
dered for deportation.
Laborers deserving or refusing to
work are also made subject to the
penalties of our contract labor
system, and all expenses made by
them on account of any misconduct
may be deducted from their wages. |
who do not notify the |
proper officers of any desertion and |
persons who furnish labor to de-
'erting laborers, or aid or abet |
hem in deserving, are liable to
leavy fines. The Board of Immi-
grafton are authorized to make