Evening bulletin. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu, Hawaii]) 1895-1912, 1899-04-14
", 0, SMITHS VIEWS

What is the intentions:
To prevent further introduction
of Japanese ? or
To shift the responsibilities OF
their introduction from the Gov
ernment to the Planters
The object of Act II of the Re
public was to give the Govern
ment control over the immigration
OF laborers.
Under the labor convention with
japan, such control existed, but
when the Planters and Japanese
immigration Com panies began to
introduce the laborers without re-
gard to the convention, Act II was
prepared and enacted to meet the
situation.
The United States statutes are
opposed to the introduction of as
sisted immigrants.
And il the proposition now un-
der discussion is for the purpose
of conforming with the spirit OF
the U. s. statute, l fail to see how
it will accomplish that object.
Should the granting of any
more permits be refused, employ
ers then will seek to bring in the
laboreis under the provisions of
Act &C, Prov. Gov. as amended by
Act 3 of the Republic; which per :
mits them to come, provided each
laborer ia under a labor con tract
Of not less than two years.
II, however, it is the intention
to prevent the immigration of any
more assisted" immigrants, by
constituting Act 66 and Act II to-
gether, and enforcing them,
the issue should be squarely
presented. For it will apply to
European laborers as we'll as
As;atic.
Ii contract lsborers are to be
refused landing, and only those
allowed to land who can produce
$50, one of two results will be
likely to follow:
CD The spirit Of the law will be
go easily evaded that the immi-
grafton will become practically
Unlimited;
(O Or, constant friction and
difficulty will arise, and an unde-
sirable state of irritation provok-
ed both with the Japanese and
Planters, and much hardship
caused.
l would suggest that definite
conclusion should be arrived at
upon the question OF whether or
not more assisted" immigration
should be allowed.
If the determination is to pre-
vent the admission of any more of
that class, let the fact be made
known, and proceed to enforce it.
Ii it is not the intention to
wholly prevent such immigration
but only to diminish the number,
l believe it would be a great mis-
take for the Government to re-
linquish the control it has of de
termining the number which will
be allowed to come.
In considering the proposition
to admit large numbers Of Japa-
nese laborers, in addition to those
now here, the fret question is:
Will it be for the good of this
country The next is: How will
it be viewed in the United Statesp
If upon considering these ques.
tions the conclusion is reached
that a limited number only should
be permitted to come, then decide
upon that number, and inform
the Planters that any above that
number must be sought from
other sources.
Ii the conclusion is that no
more should come, make the de-
cision and enforce 1t.
But il more Japanese laborers
are to come, whether to the num-
bered desired by the Planters or
a smaller number, by all means
retain control OF the immigration.
Personally l am in favor of the
Government taking firm stand
In this matter, at the same time
following policy which will not
cause unnecessary interruption of
industrial enterprises.
Political stability is now as
sured and permanent relations
with the United States establish
ed. And the necessity of depend
ing upon cheap Asiaiic labor is
removed. But employers will not
seek the higher priced labor SO
long as the cheaper class ia avail