The Hawaiian gazette. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu, Hawaii]) 1865-1918, 1869-11-03
LA Ii q n.

] cntt " WHICH tue lAutcs anu ui> i1uot-
ers are governed.
The importance, 10 the prosperity Of
this country, Of the success of the sugar
enterprises renders everything necessary
Z to that success, matter of lively interest
to all who have its prosperity at heart, for
sugar being the great staple Of the islands,
supports every other department of bust
ness and industry, bearing very much the
same relation TO them. that the founda-
ton does to the building that rests upon it.
Remove the foundation and the building
mast fall. destroy the sugar interests. and
every department of labor and business on
our islands must fall, or at least be greatly
injured. To realize this, consider that
within few years past the islands have
produced five or six millions of dollars
worth Of sugar, to which add three fourths
Of a million mere. losses sustained by Plan
ters. and you have at least six millions ex-
pended in establishing aud carrying on
sugar plantations upon these islands. OF
TINS sum perhaps one million has been
sent out Of the country for machinery, the
remaing five millions have all been expend
ed here. the largest part paid to laborers
and mechanics, smaller part, to coasters
for freight, and the money lender for the
use Of his money, all of whom have again
paid out their earnings to the merchant
for his wares and Merchandise, and the
small farmer for the food with which all
classes must be supplied We may add
the professional men whose occupation is
derived from all other classes, and the
Government revenues, derived from im-
ports and taxes paid by all of our popu-
lation.
Every person living in the country is
as really, if not as directly, interested in
the prosperity Of the sugar enterprises as
the Planter himself. though he may not
realize it, nor consider that for the planta-
tons TO fail, is for him to fail If they
fail they cannot employ the mechanic or
the laborer or give freight TO the coaster,
aud these all being without employment.
have 10 money TO buy goods of the mer-
chant, or food from the farmer. Business
and industry are paralyzed if not dead
Reliable labor as well as capital are
essential to success, and as has been said
every person is interested in its attain
ment. Labor without capital will not win
success, neither will capital without labor,
both must unite in harmony or it cannot be
attained. Labor too must be cheap as well
as reliable, for if such large and universal
losses have occurred with cleap labor in
times past with dear labor, nothing but
failure can be expected.
Where shall labor be obtained? First,
Hawaiian labor is preferred before any
other, but there is not enough of it, the
demand is greater than the supply. Every
Hawaiian, who eau be employed, is EN-
ployed. but many prefer to ship as sea-
men, especially upon whaling voyages, and
others prefer to work upon the guano Is
lands, large numbers too must cultivate
food to feed themselves and those engaged
in other employments. A few pIanta-
tons are worked solely by Hawaiians.
All would be if they could be obtained,
but they can not. have shown that la
Dor H'ust be obtained cheap, or plantations
must 90 down. and our other business
with them. Can we get cheap labor from
Europe? Not whilst the United States
lie nearer and can offer them more induce
ments.
Can We get it from the Polynesian Is
lands? From them We may get some as
We have already, but the supply is doubt
ful and after all We shall most likely have
to turn to OverpOpulated China for part,
as a necessity. The Chinese want to come,
but have not the means Are they suitable?
Those vino have employed them say that
as whole they are, though not as good as
Hawaiians, they are as good as any We
can get They will contract for five years
service, their passage being paid, and if
deemed best, a small advance. An intel
ligent christian gentlemen told me that he
took two shiploads of laborers from Hong
Kong to Demarara that the agent from
Demarara and the Government Commits
sioner were present; that Chinese student
of DR.. Morrison $50 long missionary to
China and the first translator Of the Bible
into Chinese) was interpreter; that after
the fullest explanation of what would be
required by the contracts. the rush on the
final embarkation was so great, that the
vessel lying at the wharf had to be guard
ed by the Police, to prevent those who
wished to go, and could not, from getting
on board and slowing themselves away;
and those who were finally engaged, were
passed through narrow passage-way to
the ship, and if, when questioned by the
Commissioner, a5y one seemed to doubt |
or hesitate, he was promptly rejected.
No heather population is desirable and
as far as possible they shonld be encour- |