The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1885-1921, 1896-10-10
HOW chinese MAY
COMB TO HAW All.
The Systems and Methods of
Chinese Bureau.
DEAD MANS PERMIT USED.
Bonds Required of Certain Visitors-PriviIege
TO Hawaiian Born Chnamen-Re Receipts of
the Bureau-LabOrers Visit China Under
Certain Conditions-Growth of Department.


sugar industry of the Hawaiian ISL
ands, the native Hawaiians furnisIA
the labor needed in all of the agricul-
tural industries. Under good manage
ment they did excellent work. The rate
of wages in the early days was Sc per
month. After the year 1910, a few
Chinese came into the country, and en-
gagged in trade, but their number was
incOnsiderable
With the passage OF the Recipro-
city act in 1875 the demand for labor
on the sugar and rice plantations in
creased enormously; the natives could
not supply it. The Chinese were the
most available and large immigration
followed. The rate of wages rose from
$500 to $23.00 per month, an increase
which the large profits from sugar JUS
titled. The Chinese came here as con-
tract laborers but at the expiration of
their contracts preferred to remain and
engage in other occupations.
This enormous influx of Chinese be-
gan to cause some alarm in 1880 and
an effort was made to encourage immi-
grants of some other nationality but
while this was under consideration the
Chinese continued flooding the coun-
try.
Back in the Gibsonian era a system
was adopted whereby permits were is
sued to Chinese who wished to visit
China and return to this country. The
system was carried out in the Foreign
Office and was in charge of w. Horace
now of the Independent staff.
After the change of government it was
believed that the matter of looking af-
ter the Chinese immigrants and emf
grants had grown to sufficient import
ance and the volume of business had
grown so large that the Advisory Coun-
Gil recommended establishing a Chi
nese Bureau, with James w. Girvin,
who had recently returned to the ISL
ands, in charge.
A room in the judiciary building was
assigned for the purpose and the sys-
tenn changed where the increased i'm
migration demanded it. Mr.. Girvin has
blanks for every branch of the bust
ness. Applications, cancellation of
bonds or reasons for the departure of
a man or woman is given in writing.
and the papers filed so that they may
be referred to at any time These
papers are frequently referred to and
have sometimes furnished valuable in
formation to the authorities
In one instance a Chinaman wished
to return to China. Under the law la
oorers who had resided here FIVE years
were permitted to go home for a period
Of two years. He appeared at the bu-
reau, registered his description, left
his photograph and departed. Among
the questions answered was one re-
garding his family. The man had
wife, and it was so registered.
In due time he returned with a Chi
nese woman whom he represented as
his wife. The Marshal inquired at the
bureau and learned the condition of
affairs and the woman was not per-
mitted to land.
1t sometimes happens that busi-
ness Chinaman will want a friend to
visit him. Under the law he is allow
ed to land upon filing a bond guaran-
teeing his departure from the Islands
within six months. When this period
expires the bondsman calls at the bu-
reau and makes affidavit that the man
has left the country and gives the
name of the vessel on which he sailed.
To verify this statement the chief of
he bureau consults the passenger list
furnished by the customs authorities.
If everything is regular the bond is
and filed away for future ref
erence. To be eligible to sign a bond
Tor $500 the person must produce a tax
receipt showing that he pays taxes
IN 81 600