The Hawaiian gazette., 1868-07-22

Mr.. EDITOR: The following is clipped
from the correspondence of the Alta, writ
ten by its agent in Yokohama. As it init
mately relates to what now interests Ha-
waiians SO much, it can not fail to attract
attention, particularly the latter part of it.:
EMIGRATIoN.-Until the necessary stimu-
lus of a more active commerce-which can
only be had by opening the whole country
is given to Japan, her two great resources,
tea and silk, will not be developed in much
larger quantities than at present. Until that
time arrives, the large surplus population of
the country can not be sufficiently employed.
1t is fortunate, at this juncture, that an open
ing has been found for the laboring classes,
and they are adventurous and smart enough
to embrace the opportunity. The sugar in
terest of the Hawaiian Islands has long been
suffering for want of suitable and sufficient
labor. From the Islands, last year, the Gov
eminent sent D. c. Waterman, ESQ.,, Spe-
cial Commissioner to Japan, for the purpose
of gaining market for sugars, as well as the
labor for raising the same. His excellent
judgment and great experience enabled him
TO accomplish both his purposes. Now the
fine and commodious ship Scioto, fitted up
with all the comforts and conveniences of a
firstclass emigrant packet, sailed one day
last month, having on board several hundred
passengers, an officer of the Japanese Gov
eminent accompanying the party to see that
the terms of the contract are fulfilled, for
which, even to the payment of wages, the
Hawaiian Government holds itself response
bic. The advantages proposed to the labor
ers were far superior to what the majority of
these people could expect in their own, their
native land. Their transit TO the Islands is
secured; for laborers 81 per month, food,
clothing, and medical attendance are guaran-
teed; $40 advance money paid; overseers to
receive IS per month. The period of service is
fixed at three years. 1t is to be hoped that the
scheme will be a success, as it will be to the
material advantage of both people. The
Minister-Resident of the United States has
worried not a little over this affair, and
catching the proclamation fever, he comes
out in a illumination against the cOOlie traffic.
and cites certain acts of Congress against the
same. Although the war is raging, and
things are mixed, there seems to be no ade-
quate occasion for so much spread eagleism.
In any event, Independence Day is near at
hand, and all the thunder should be reserved
for that occasion.
What the writer means by his reference to
an anti-coolie proclamation by the Minister
Resident of the United States, we can Lot
tell. There has no copy of that proclamation
been received as yet, that We know of, in
Hawaii. We are more concerned as to the
causes said Minister may have supposed he
had for issuing it, than for the substance of
the thing itself. As no emigrants have left
Japan since it has been country, except 40
within few months to the Island of Guam,
and the 149 who sailed from Yokohama to
Honolulu, We suppose said proclamation
must have been based upon the fear that this
was new coolie traffic, against which his
Exeellency was bound to warn his fellow
citizens with threatenings of the pains and
penalties of certain Acts of Congress. II,
as We may suppose, his Excellency finds
such Willingness on the part of the newly
restored government of the Micado, to per-
nit his subjects to emigrate, and such spec
ulative disposition on the part of his fellow
citizens in japan to prompt them to enter
into traffic similar to the Chinese coolie
system, we can not but thank the General for
his promptness in putting a check to the
business at once, on the part of American
citizens: more particularly if said citizens
think to make the Hawaiian Islands the seat
of their "Barracoons From what we have
seen and heard of the late importation of
japanese laborers into our midst, we are
well convinced that no coolie traffic can ever
make these Islands their terminus. Nor
would a Yankee vessel, with coolies slowed
in its middle passage" be received in any
other manner than as a SLAYER, upon whose
officers the pains and penalties of certain
Acts of Congress would De a light affection,
in comparison to what they would receive.
We again thank Gen. Van Valkeuberg for
warning all American shippers against such
traffic
The laborers Hawaii imports are to be
brought hither by this Government, and not
by private spectators who deal in flesh and
blood as traffic. Japanese laborers, and all
others, can come here only as the Govern
ment provides for them. They will be re-
ceiyed by the Hawaiian Board of Immigra-
ton only as the many immigration societies
of the United States receive European Ia
borers. Having some knowledge of this
matter, can not but indorse the proclama-
ton, upon the suppositions have given
d. ]. L.