The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1885-1921, 1894-01-13
CHINESE IMMIGRATION.

The great standing problem in
Hawaii ever since Hawaii has had
a commerce and industry of her
own, has been the labor problem.
Other problems come and go, but
this stays on forever, and it never
will be finally settled until the
American flag waves from Hawaii
to Niihau, with guarantees of free
labor and free field for it in every
fold. Until that long sought day
has come, Hawaii will have to
medicine her labor ailments with
momentary remedies, as she has
done of old.
The Government has decided to
permit the immigration of a num-
Der of Chinese under the provis-
ions of the Acts of 1892. In tax
ing this course the Government are
doing nothing more than carrying
out the policy adopted, after long
and earnest debate, by the last Leg
islature. The Act then passed con-
templated the admission of linn
tied number of Chinese, and if It is
not to be put in force, it might as
well be repealed.
Labor legislation in this country
suffers such kaleidoscope changes
that probably the majority of our
readers are not acquainted with the
provisions of the present law. To
refresh the memory, we subjoin the
following extract from Section 2 of
Chapter so, of the Laws of 1892.
SECTION unconditional permits to
enter this kingdom may be granted
by the Minister of Foreign Affairs for
such Chinese, not exceeding five thou
sand in number, as shall be recon-
mended by the Board of immigration
upon the application of employers of
domestic, agricultural or mill labor,
which said permits shall contain the
condition, printed in both the English
language and lin Chinese characters,
that the bearer is allowed to enter
this kingdom solely on condition that
while here he will engage in no trad
ing or mechanical occupation other
than domestic service or agricultural
labor in the field, or in rice or sugar
mills, and that he will, whenever he
shall cease to follow his vocation as
agricultural laborer in the field, or in
sugar or rice mills, or as domestic ser
want, leave this kingdom and that
for every breach of such condition he
shall, on conviction by any Police or
District Justice, be liable to fine of
one hundred dollars.
In order to avoid as far as posi-
BILE any failure in carrying out the
provisions of this Act, t. Legisla-
ture two months later, amended it
by adding the following section:
"Section IOA.-The Minister of For
eign Affairs, by and with the consent
of majoritj of the Cabinet, is hereby
authorize, and empowered to make
and publish all such rules and regula-
tions. and the same to alter, amend or
nu, ", from time to time, as may be
fond necessary or proper to carry
out the aim, intent, object and pro-
vision contemplated by said Act; and
such rules or regulations and all
amendments or alterations thereto
shall, after publication in one or more
newspapers printed and published in
Honolulu, have the force and effect of
a statute law of the kingdom"
In order to facilitate still further
the execution of the Act and to
enable the Government to keep
track of Chinese brought into the
country under it, the following
Constitutional amendment was
adopted:
ARTICLE S3.-The Legislature may
from time to time enact such laws as
1t may deem proper for the super
vision and control and Identification