Additional Restrictions to. Immigration Under Consideration Manila, Feb, 25, Further restriction of Chinese immigration into the Philippine Is-ands is being sought by a committee appointed by the Governor-[General for the purpose of studying. the question. It is understood that the committee will propose to the Philippine Legislature, which meets in July, an amendment to the pro-sent Chinese immigration law, re Jquiring all Chinese immigrants claiming to be merchants to possess, Jat the time of entrance into the Philippines, at least $5,000 as initial capital.
Another proposed amendment }would prohibit from being classed Jas merchants the keepers of "sari sari" stores, small shops which abound in Manila and other cities fof the Philippines. It is said there Jare more than 2,000 of these little stores in Manila' alone. The registration fee which is required from every Chinese immigrant upon application for admission into the Philippines would be raised from $2.50 to $5.
Customs officials allege that it ix common practice among certain wealthy Chinese merchants here to supply the required capital to any Chinese who desire to live in the Philippines and who claim to be legitimate merchants, when actually they are brought from China to become labourers for the merchant financing them. Customs officials declare that, if the sum required were raised from the present nominal amount to $5,000, merchants here would be deterred from fur-rushing sch capital, Under the present laws only Chinese merchants and their relatives are admitted to the Phil ines—Reuter's Pacific S
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