The Hawaiian star. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu]) 1893-1912, 1899-04-13
VIM. o. SMITHS STATEMENT TO
THE CABINET.
Favors Governmental Check on Immi-
grafton, but Marks the Danger of
Shutting OF Plantation Help.


government, which was to refuse to
assist labor immigration any further,
had been defined by President Dole,
and commented upon by W. r. Castle
and others. The effect of the argu
ments presented was straight and ap-
parent. President Dole regarded the
changed situation in the meeting so
important that he declared an execu-
tive session and asked the newspaper
men to withdraw. This is the paper
presented by Mr.. Smith:
What is the intention:
To prevent further Introduction of
Japanese?
Or,
To shift the responsibility of their in
PRODUCTION from the Government to the
Planters?
The object of Act II of the Republic
was to give the government control
over the immigration of iaborers. I'm
der the labor convention with Japan
such control existed, but when the
planters and Japanese immigration
companies began to introduce the la
borers without regard to the conven-
ticn, 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 pur-
pose of conforming with the spirit of
the United States statute, / fail to see
how it will accomplish that object.
Should the granting of any more
permits be refused, employers will
then seek to bring in the laborers un-
der the provisions of Act 66, Provisional
Government, as amended by Act of
the Republic, which permits them to
come, provided each laborer is under a
labor contract of not less than two
years.
IT, however, it is the intention to
prevent the immigration of any more
assisted" immigrants, by construlng
Act Sc and Act II together, and en-
forcing them, the issue should be
squarely presented. For it will apply
to European laborers as well as Asia
tic
II contract laborers are to be refused
landing and only those allowed to land
who can produce $50, one of two re-
suits Will be likely to follow:
Q The spirit of the law will be so
easily evaded that the immigration
will be practically unlimited;
(2) Or constant friction and difficulty
will arist and an undesirable state OF
irritation provoked both with the Jap
anese and planters and much hard
ship caused.
| would suggest that a definite con-
clusion should be arrived at upon the
question of whether or not more as
sisted" immigration should be allowed.
If the determination is to prevent
the admission of any more of that
class, let the fact be made known, and
proceed to enforce it.
If it is not the intention to wholly
prevent such immigration but only to
diminish the number / believe it
would be a great mistake for the gov
ernment to relinquish the control il
has of determining the number which
will be allowed to come.
In considering the proposition to ad-
nit large numbers of Japanese labor
ers, in addition to those now here, the
first question is: VIII it be for the good
of this country? The next is: How will
it be viewed in the United States?
If upon considering these questions
the conclusion is reached that a limit
ed number only should be permitted
to come, then decide upon that number
and inform the planters that any above
that number must be sought for from
other sources.
| should come make the decision and en-
| force it.
But, If more Japanese laborers are ia
come, whether to the number desired
| by the planters or smaller number
| by all means retain control of the inn
| migration.
Personally l am in favor of the gov.
| ernment taking a firm stand in this
| matter, at the same time following a
policy which will not cause unnecessa-
| ry interruption of Industrial enterpri-
| ses.
Political stability is now assured and
| permanent relations with the United
States established. And the necessity
| of depending upon cheap Asiatic la
/ l.
| not seek the higher priced labor sc
| long as the cheaper class is available
| Why not grant permits for reason
| able number of Japanese for the new
| plantations just being started and very
| few for the established plantations
which already have large numbers, and
| inform them all that it is the purpose
in the near future to refuse permits
! for any more Japanese laborers coming
under contract. Either the abrupt ter.
mination of Japanese immigration al
| this juncture, or their uncontrolled in.
| flux would be a public calamity.
After the whole of the United States
| immigration laws are extended to these
| Islands, assisted" emigrants will not
be permitted to land from foreign coun.
| tries And then laborers will have e
be sought in other ways. Meanwhile Is
II not best to keep the control of tho
! immigration, and at the same time
| pursue a course which will compel
seeking laborers from other sources.
1t should be born i'm mind that after
the United States laws are i'm force
the bringing of laborers from the Unit
ed States to these Islands will not b,
assisting foreign emigrants. Steps
should be taken to induce American
farm laborers to come here.
| The increasing number of japanese
laborers in these Islands, and especial
ly gathered in large numbers in isolat
ed places, is a growing menace to th'
public peace and safety.
l am of the opinion that heretofore
the contract system has been a grea
| protection TO the communities of thes
Islands. 1t has been in the nature o
police regulation, and has been an i'm
portant factor in preserving law ant
order. 1t has also been a protection L
the laborers. The law provides for tn
enforcement of the contract agalns
the employers as well as against tn
labOrers. w. o, SMITH.
Honolulu, April II, 1899.