The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1856-1888, 1870-08-13
THE PACIFIC
Commercial abberttser.
AUGUST ID.
immigrants.

Solo, from HOngkong. These men are what thu
Planters Association has to show for an outlay o
G1eHty-fIg0 thousand dollars $50, 000), or a cost
per capita, of one hundred and thirty dollars
Those versed in the cost of labor state that the
pay of these laborers will be equivalent to ffteer
or sixteen dollars a month ,-somewhat higher
wages than have been paid before for this style Of
labor. The enterprise is looked upon rs a failure,
and Mr.. Wilder has been soundly berated upon
the street by some of those who were most anx-
ious that he should be sent. This is unjust, rs
in our belief Mr.. Wilder has done as well, if not
better, than some of those could have who now
c~riticise his action. 1t will be remembered that
this paper strongly urged that one of our Chinese
merchants should undertake the mission. and that
we stated the difficulties which would bcset a
stranger in China. If report is true, the result
of this enterprise would have been still more dis
astrous but for the very efficient and timely aid
rendered by Mr.. Achuck, of the firm Of MesSrs.
Along & Achuck of this city, who was then in
Hongkong. Had it not been for this gentleman,
We are assured that the Solo would not have OBJ
tanned over fifty laborcrs.
There seems TO be some difference OF opinion,
even among Government officials, rs TO Mr..
Wilder's status. Two Of the Ministers stated
distinctly in our hearing that the Government
had no interest in the mission, while we are in
formed that the planter of the Ministry states, in
the most plausible manner, that of course the
Government is intimately concerned. We notice,
however, that the surplus stores placed on board
the Solo for consumption are to be sold for the
benefit Of the - Planters Association, :" or 1ChOm
IL may concern, and incline to the opinion that
nobody is disposed to father the fdScO. Mr..
Wilder, we are told, started upon this expedition
for the Planters Association but received
credentials from the Board of immigration, as j
was thought that such a document would be 0
advantage to him 50 that the " planters " mus =
acknowledge paternity, and the Board as havin,
acted the sponsor. So far as we have been abb
to gather information, the manner of ~treatin,
with these immigrants in China was fair an,
honorable that no contract was cxacted of then
there, they simply giving their word that the,
would sign a contract here for the terms arrange
in China, viz, house servants to have seven dol
n month, field hands, six dollars, beside
minor considerations and for the credit G.
the community we wish we could speak as favor
ably of their treatment upon arrival here.
The r. w. Wood arrived on Thursday, from
the same rrt, having on board sixty-one Chimes
passengers, which rumor, started by some to,
jealous supporter of the Government and it
coolie system, Gays came here under precisely tn
same conditions as those by the Solo. After in
luiry and observation we are prepared to Civ
mischievous rumor a blunt denial. Mr.
Along and Mr.. Chulan, parties most concerned
- NLoE A. THs-o H., fla ID 1U w. 49,
Perfectly free TO engage ,Oith ,chOmsOeUer the
nag choose, the only obligation they have t
ulfll being to refund cost of passage in cas-
hey engage with other than the party who ad
them passage money, and who promise
hem employment and pay of one hundred dollar
year, over eight dollars a month. COmmunica
ion with the vessel was not forbidden and tn,
landed as soon as they cared to. On
# the s~ixty-one we could learn of only sixteen
Who had made this arrangement, the rest being
Helped hither by friends or relatives residing here.
The result of the two modes is greatly in favoil
f the free immigrant plan, and We may ask
Why should the Planters Association, and it,,
holder, the Board of Immigration, insist
pom doing violence to the better sentiments o.
humanity at an expense nearly double that at
endant upon a plan which has no bad features?
Assuming that hborerS are needed and thai the
Ippiy must come from China, it would seem to
c the part of wisdom to bring them here in a
lanner that could challenge the scrutiny of the
ultra free labor men. We heard recently
le opinion of two planters to tile effect that
lie Board of immigration was a detriment to the
Ianting interest ; that had it never existed, there,
ould now have been an abundant supply oil
Dor in the country. 1t is gratifying to us to
I'd that planters are now essaying TO stand upon
e ground rchici nee hare occupied from the very
st. This paper strongly opposed the interior
ice of the Board, and has never had occasion to
Iange ground. Recent experience proves that
hinese laborers can be brought into this king
m at an outlay for passage and other expenses
not over seyenty-fve dollars and in an unex-
ptional manner.
Either of our leading Chinese merchants could
range for the supply of our plantations upon
e following basis: The laborers to be informed
to conditions of labor, and a passage provided
EN- to meet the expense of which they should
d would give a note payable out of first moneys
rned they should be permitted to land upon
rival here and gather such information as they
q, and be allowed to work for whomsoeyer
ey choose the party engaging them to take up
cir notes and hold them against them for settle
The planters would have to make an
vance of say twenty dollars each for as many
'orers as they wanted engaged. Some say that
e laborers thus brought into the country would
nand a higher rate of pay than the planter
aid afford to give. Then engage them for the
priest possibly term and arrange for more to
at the expiration of this term. This is
!, only legitimate way in which the question of
Dply and demand can be met, and once equal
d there would be no excuse for the retention
that blot upon our statutes, the " Master and &
want Law" 1
Had such a plan been hit upon and carried out ]
o proper spirit five years ago, there would ]
re been no dearth of labor now, and the occur .
ICE of such scenes as were enacted upon the I
ival of the Sodo would have been impossible. 1