The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1856-1888, 1869-10-16

There is another objection to the contract system
as you propose it We wish soon to take Legislative
action for the encouragement of free immigration
1 do not regard the importation of contracted, as
signable Cinnamon as free immigration. Our de-
serted hills and valleys must be re-peopled with a
good race, and the influence of your plan viii be to
wholly discourage and negative such an enterprise.
For these reasons we differ from YOU. If an inter-
ference with the natural laws of wages is right if a
Penal law In our Civil Code, which gives q criminal
character TO a civil contract is right II the princi-
pie Of contract assignments is right, then the con-
tract system is right: we believe the former to be
wrong if they are wrong, the system which rests
upon them for support is wrong and nothing that
can be said and no necessity can make 1t right.
TT. Fl. Diaries characterized the ideas advanced by
fthe opposers of the contract system as Utopian. Let
them propose some tangible plan in its place.
: c. J. Lyons-I regard these resolutions No. 4, 5,
6 and Z, Us all destined to stand or fall together.
The supporters Of assignable contracts are sound, if
you once grant the principle of a mans signing
away his personal liberty. 1 see no real difference
in principle between the transfer of a note for $50,
value received, and the transfer of a promise for so
days labor in the cane-held for value received in the
way of advance-if the contract should read that way.
The coolie contract must be transferred in some
way to prevent loss, if you once admit the validity of
the contract. Practical men like our secretary see
this, and certainly he deserves credit for consistency.
1t is the most damaging testimony against the penal
contract system, and shows that that is where the
difficulty lies.
Mr.. J. o. Carfer-wished it understood that
what he had to say at the meeting was not to be
interpreted as the views of a newspaper with which
he was connected, but simply as his personal opinion
for which he was responsible. Much has been said
about the failure ON the part of those who oppose the
coolie system of this Kingdom, to bring forward a
plan to take its place. Understood and appreciated
the want of labor and was in full sympathy with
a -. - Ill $500 A. Al. 1t--
system now in vogue. Had formerly doubted the
value of South Sea Islanders as laborers but was
satisfied from information which had been given him
that they were the best material which had been
brought to these islands. Had heard a plan proposed
for the purpose of bringing Chinese coolies into this
country, which he believed would work equally well
with other laborers. Was not prepared to give the
exact figures Of the calculations made, but would use
round numbers to outline the plan. The sum of
$4,000 appropriated by the Government would
bring into these islands say 1000 characteristic
men, because some of the planters had said distinctly
that they wanted no more women. These men would
pay to the Government in taxes 5000 a year the
wants of the laborers would necessitate the importa-
ton of Mt least $4,000 worth of supplies upon
which 10 per cent. in duties is levied, making
81 900 more, or q total of s. 5000 n year for the out
lay of $50, 900, or Is per cent. ON the investment.
This was not all the benefit to be derived, for an in
telligent planter had calculated that each laborer in
troduced would add a ton of sugar to our exports. If
SnlDeSc vert W Dc OrOuShI utO III COQutIJ II u
for the interest of all parties here that agriculturists
should be secured and not the river population and
scum of the seaports of China A gentleman had re-
marked in defence of the coolie system that the
coolies were glad to get here, the speaker believed
that they were, but for the same reason that q de-
faulter or criminal was glad to run away from the
scene of his exploits.
To remedy this, proposed that one of our RESPONSE
BILE Chinese merchants should be sent upon the mis-
sion, who could, by going into the interior and being
conversant with the language, secure for our wants
men accustomed to till the soil. 1t had been urged
that these men would set up for themselves when
they arrived here, undoubtedly some would, and
would it not be of the same advantage to the country
whether a producer on his own account or in behalf
of a planter Urged that under this plan the labor
ers should he brought into the country clear of any
contract, that by this plan the planters were relieved
from the sum usually demanded for the introduction
of laborers being cost of passage &C., and the expense
equally distributed among taxpayers. Was IN favor
of their being under the supervision Ofsome RESPONSE
BILE Board. The advantages of such supervision
were many, if for no other reason he preferred some
responsible Board to c~riticise or peg away at. In
conversation with a Chinese merchant learned that
many Chinese agriculturalists were DESTROYS of COM
ing here but lacked the means to pay their passage.
A planter says that the Chinese would not be slow to
learn that coming here with passage paid and engag-
ing a Storage passage by our steamer or packets
would be the cheapest way of reaching California.
This might be so but this objection would not hold
good with South Sea Islanders, whom he believed
better adapted TO the wants Of the country, as they
WOuIu COmc III tulllleS anu IN v SNORT tline De aNdll-
able labor. The natives from the South Seas have
much in common with our natives, in person, Ian
guage and religion while the Chinese have a civiliza-
ton and religion peculiarly their own and an almost
unsurmountable difficulty against their becoming
evangelical exists in their language. Invited criti-
cisIn in regard to the plan he proposed as he was de-
sirous of finding its weak points. During these re-
msrks MIR. Pauger of the house Of Hackfeld & Co.,
that if the government supplied the money
European laborers could be secured.
L. Bartett-The great objection to the contract
system was the provision for assignment. The Board
of Immigration should be remodeled, so as to give it
enlarged powers, and the immigrants to be under it's
guardianship. When q servants time was out, if
his master had allowed him to get into debt, then let
it be considered as cancelled To cover these views
he proposed an amendment I'd the sixth resolution,
which was read. There should be the fullest freedom
to bring suitable immigrants from wherever they can
be got, and if possible, families should be brought in
a. +. = IS plan is totally impractical
bic. 1t would entail upon the Board the trouble
and expense of keeping agents all over the islands.
DR.. Judd-The licensing the sale of opium was
one of the greatest curses in the country.
MIR. Bartlett's amendment was put and lost, and
the original resolution carried.
J. c. Pfuger said that if immigrants were
brought from the northern countries of Europe, as
had been suggested, it would be simply helping them
to get to California, where they would be sure to go.
The seventh resolution was then put and carriedD
20 to 6.
J. o. Carter moved that the ayes and noes be
in order that it may be known what names
we're for and what against this system. After con-
siderable debate, in which several members spoke
or and against the motion, it was withdrawn, the
mover remarking that he did it because gentlemen
appeared to be somewhat sensitive on that point.
i. Bartet-Had q set of resolutions entirely
different from those before the meeting, but he saw
was useless to present them.
The JMinister Of the Interior said that the "Mas-
ter and Servants Act which was the penal law in
to laborers so often spoken of, was passed by
> legislature elected by free suffrage, and become a
law before any coolies were brough here.