Polynesian. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu], Hawaii) 1844-1864, 1858-11-13


to come. | maintain that it would be good policy
TO pass such a law for every such aborer would be-
come subject, would employ at least five natives to
cultivate his fifty acres and all that he could raise
from that fifty would be so much added 10 the
wealth Of your kingdom"
In making that suggestion but followed at a hum
BILE distance, the liberal policy of nv late lamented
master. In His Speech to the Legislature of 1916,
King kamehameha III said, "' trust that the abors
of the Land Commissioners will result in rendering
the titles to land clear and fxed and thus lay foun-
datiOn for agricultural enterprise. 1t is my special
wish that the laws be such offer the efficient
encouragement to profitable industry. I recommend
to your consideration the best Of securing that
object"
In His Speeches to the Legislatures of lS47 and
l848, will be found still pointed recommends
tUns, but they are too long for to quote. Yet
cannot, IN justice 10 his memory omit the following
paragraph IN his speech to the Legislature Of 1850.
" The prosperity Of the islands and their altered
position relatively TO Oregon and California require
greatly increased cultivation Of the SOIL which will not
be possible without the aid of foreign capital and labor
1t will be for you TO consider what be done 70 en-
courage these elements of wealth, and whether the
law preventing aliens from acquiring lands in Fee
Simple is advantageous or disadvantageous to the
kingdom"
consider il not irrelevant to the objects Of this
Society thus TO bring TO mind the liberal policy of the
late King in regard to land for land is the raw mate
rial which the members of this Society work and
=
rial.
1t is now well known that from time immemorial
land in all the islands held by a mixed tenure
between the Great Chief, King the inferior Chiefs
or Landlords, and the common people, or Tenants :;
but still that the two latter classes could be dispossesSed
at any moment, by the mere will of the Sovereign.
Under that peculiar tenure, neither the King. any
Chief, any Tenant could give perfect and perma-
nent title to any portion of land. The donor could
only transfer his title in the intention of the do
IL
will as for Fee Simple titles or even fred and deter
mined Leases the bare idea of them had not occurred
to the native mind, nor could it under such
tripartite tenure
This not being understood in old times, by foreign
residents in regard to lands nominay given 10 them,
sometimes in reward of menal services, sometimes in
token Of mere personal liking and at other times as
retainer for services 10 lie rendered IN future those
residents often claimed such lands as belonging to
them in Fee Simple. Instances have not been want
ing il which Foreign Consuls have abetted such claims,
presumng, perhaps, that gift of land, here was pre-
cisey what such gift would be in their own country
whereas, in these Islands, 1t tenancy ut
will, and nothing more. Among those instances are
cases in which it has been contended that large and
valuable of land had been donated by Chiefs of
inferior rank, absolutely and in Fee Simple to foreign
ers in remuneration for having served such chief, for
brief period, as buffers walters at table. Such
claims of eXtrayagant remuneration, for tring SER
vice, contrary to every principle of equity, justice
anu even TO common sense WOulU at once nave been
rejected by all foreign Agents, if they had only under
stood what the tenure of lands was the time and
what such gifts Of land were understood and intended
10 be, by the donors.
1t the policy of the late King to free His King
dom from all such complications and it is not that Of
the present Sovereign 10 pursue retrograde course
On the contrary, He seeks TO carry to greater per-
fiction all the Improvements initiated by His Predeces-
sor, and looking to Agriculture the main source Of
national prosperity. besides encouraging it by His
example, He has organized the natives into an Agri-
cultural Society under His own Presidency with the
designation of the National Agricultural Society which
promises 10 be unequal rival of the Royal Hawai-
ian.
Ofthe National Agricultural Society, Mr.. Armstrong
has been very active promoter, as he has always
been, and is of every useful undertaking.
Emulation is a wholesome principle of progress in
all things if this Society had done nothing than
excite that spirit among the natives, it would have
deserved well ofthe state. But 1t has done a great
deal more it has greatly improved the breeds Cf
horses cattle and sheep as well as the quality of our
vegetables, and added to fruit and flowers.
The cultivation of wheat by the natives has been
materially promoted by the Hawaiian Flour Mill Com
pany, which incorporated the 25th April, 1856
The cash paid to natives for wheat delivered, has
greatly increased their industry, far the cultya
ton OF tht grain is concerned* 1t was precisely
with - Irish potatoes during the short period that
they article Of profitable export TO California
These examples WILL hope, justify the belief that the
natives will become equally industrious in every other
kind Of agricultural labor, where the stimulus Of
prompt cash remuneration is held out to them.
Whenever those who live in contguiy to ports,
apply themselves the cultivation of vegetables for
market, they will discover that they have that prompt
payment in cash, in their own power.
The introduction OF Chinese labOrers, though it has
not answered the expectations that were entertained
from it, has had the beneficial effect of producing
wholesome spirit Of emulation among the natives.
The labor has now become more profitable than that
Of the Chinese working at the low wages Of their
original Contracts and, believe. i nov almost every
where preferred. All these favorable indications
that the ind lence Of the natives Is rremovabe
believe il is greater than what prevailed amongst
the Anglo Saxon in the early periods Of their his
tory, when only just comparison could be made be-
tween that and the Poynesian.
Salt NAV now be considered staple article Of ex-
port from this kingdom. Mr.. Daniel Montgomery
has greatly improved the quality Of that which he
manufactures and hence increased demand for export
ali n His example might easily be followed by others,
Tor we have singular facilities for the manufacture Of
salt along shores sample Of rock-sat, pure and
beautifully chrysalzed has been brought from Kahoo
lave, but in what quantity it exists, and in what
proximity to place of shipment remain yet to De as
certaned.
Arrow root which ought exist in every house and
form part of the Of every ship Is produced
o Of excellent quality, and used to be f it be not
still prepared by DR.. Judd in neat small packages
for family and for expectation. have often
dered that large demand for it did not arise.
From the peculiar action Of ava the skin, it IS
highly probable that in form of chemical prepar-
alton it may prove to be a most valuable remedy in
cutaneous diseases such leprouS, herpetc and 9TH
er erupons, requiring if may be allowed so to ex-
press myself throw the old skin of, and to put
new skin Oh. If such should prove to be the ease it
may become an article of profitable cultivation and
export.
1t has been ascertained that the cotton grown on
these islands is of great value OF its long
staple Yet, believe Mr.. Ruggles is the only one
who has as yet attempted its cultivation q large
scale / was sorry TO hear Of late, that ne has not
vet succeeded as he deserved but let him. and others
who may follow his example, not be discouraged by
the failure Of their first attempts. The first cultivsors
arL The Inited States with