The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1885-1921, 1899-04-14
An Important Conference and Pull
Discussion.
MEN FOR CHIEF INDUSTRY
Views Of the President and of
w. Q. Smith-Policies Brought
Forward - Future.

AT the meeting called yesterday by
the Executive for a conference with the
planting interest on the subject OF lab
or immigration, President Dole stated
that the Government policy regarding
it was a serious matter. He thought
that no advantage should be taken of
the situation, which permitted us to
continue to import Asiatic labor, be-
cause the immigration laws of the
country had not been extended to this
somewhat indefinite. There were no
instructions from Washington on the
subject AS President, he was the
agent of President Mckinley and he
desired to be in touch with his policy
| if he had one on the subject Nothing
should be done that was inconsistent
! with it. The delay in passing laws for
the government of Hawaii had result
ed in discussion in the States regard
| ing the status of Hawaii, and an effort
would be made, it was said, to make
Hawaii a colony, and class it with.
other new acquisitions. 1t might be
| a serious matter. If the Government
| refused permits, the planters would
have to get laborers in their own way.
There might be some danger to the
community in allowing too many Jap
anesa TO enter the Islands. They.
might endanger property and life. 1t
was important that the Government in
Washington should have full con-
! fdence in the territorial government
| The introduction of white laborers
| would have good effect in the States.
Mr. w. r. Castle said he had seen
public men in the States and they ad-
vised that we should go on as we are,
get our labor, and wait for the Wash
ington Government to act. We ought
to do what was best for ourselves. 1t
is just what all people do.
The following paper, written by Mr..
w. o. Smith, was read:
MEMORANDA IN REGARD TO PRO
POSED REFUSAL TO GRANT
JAPANESE LABORERS.
What is the intention:
To prevent further introduction of
Japanese? or
To shift the responsibility Of their
introduction from the Government to
the Planters?
The object of Act II of the Republic
was to give the Government control
over the immigration of laborers.
Under the labor convention with
Japan such control existed but when
the Planters and Japanese Immigra-
| ton Companies began to Introduce the
| laborers without regard to the conven-
| ton, Act II was prepared and enacted
to meet the situation.
The United States statutes are Op-
posed to the introduction of assisted
| immigrants.
| And if the proposition now under
discussion is for the purpose of con-
| forming with the spirit Of the u. S.
statute, I fail to see how it will ac-
complish that object.
Should the granting of any more
permits be refused, employers then
| will seek to bring in the laborers
| under the provisions of Act 66, Prov.
Govt. as amended by Act of the Re-
public; which permits them to come
provided each laborer is under a labor
contract of not less than two years
If, however, it is the intention to
prevent the immigration of any more
assisted" immigrants, by constituting
Act Sc and Act II together, and enforc-
ing them, the issue should be suuarely
Continued on Page Two.)