The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1856-1888, 1878-06-08
TIE PACIFIC
Y. JTNE s.
IMMIGRATION.

lLiLuiGIdDISJD dS SlFCu Il lIGGI ~ LNO EOC
ject of immigration, with which the future vel
fare of our Island Kingdom is SO closely con-
nected. Capt. Jackson's notes of his cruise were
published in our journal last Saturday, and as
they throw much light upon a question that
deeply affects every interest of the country, they
are worthy of a careful p~erusal and study. TC
one point, in particular, we desire to call atten-
ton. In speaking of future voyages, he says
- the Government need not fear any difficulty
whatever in the way of obtaining an ample sup
ply of immigrants Of the Eastern Polyneslan
race, as plenty can be obtained not only from the
islands we have visited this voyage but also
from several other islands of which he is in pos
session Of every information and that the round
VOYAGE should not for the future occupy more
than four or four and a half months.
1t seems to us that this important statement
Of Capt. jackson, coupled with the results OF
his initiatory cruise, are quite sufficient to re-
move any apprehension we may have felt hereto
fore as to q proper available source of supply,
and it now remains with ourselves to say how
far we shall improve the opportunity opened to
US to introduce new life and blood to 6 assimi-
late - with and recruit the latent energies OF
our own people. We are not among those who
look forward with doubt and gloom upon the ul-
innate fate of the Hawaiian race. On the con-
trary, we feel much encouraged as to the way in
which the problem is now being solved for we
have seen a turn in the tide of depopulation,
that is full of the brightest hope, and if we i'm
prove our present opportunities wisely and well,
the period so often predicted of our utter extinc-
ton will have to be looked for in the far-off ages.
In looking into this question, the first and
principal point that attracts attention, and which
is calculated to awaken anxiety, is the great dis
parity of the sezes-a disparity that is constantly
increasing by steady arrivals Of Chinese male i'm
migrants. We do not see how anyone can be
blind to the danger that threatens us from this
source. We need not look further than the
Coast for a lesson on this point. We can con-
troll the evil if we take it in hand at once if
neglected, it will soon acquire dimensions with
which we cannot cope. We hope the present
Legislative Assembly will turn its attention to
this matter NOW, for prevention is far better
than cure, and some wise legislation is impera-
lively needed.
The statistics of our last census QS72) afford
important data for our guidance in this question
Vi lLImiSIdllOuS pdl IlSuldll upOh I"O pOHhe JNSe
presented. The census of that year showed an
excess of males, in the entire population of the
Kingdom, of 6,403. From this statement, it is
quite evident that the Board of immigration
should not overlook the Importance of a larger
proportion of females than we have heretofore
received with our immigrants; and this applies
with peculiar force to the Chinese immigration,
for by the census we see that the people of that
nationality foot up l ,831 males and 10Y females!
We all know that the accessIons of late to our
population of Chinese, have been almost exclu-
sively males. This is a feature in the immigra-
ton question that concerns every member of the
community, and should not be lost sight of.
The late Mr.. Wyllie-one of the truest friends
and as earnest and faithful a public servant as
Hawaii ever knew-bada favorite hobby (pro-
iect is the better word)-that of an Empire of
the Pacific, with IA Kamehameha at the head,
and Honolulu the capital,-a confederation of
Chiefs, which should be recognized by the great
Powers. In the event of such an empire, the
religion, civilization and laws of Hawaii would
necessarily be extended south and west through
out this ocean. Events passing at the present
time seem to indicate that Mr.. Wyllie's dream
may yet be not all a dream. Wandering Hawai-
ian sailors in the past, and latterly Hawaiian
missionaries have made known Hawaii nei as
- Wahoo - or "Owhyhee " to the inhabitants
of the numerous groups as a wonderful Island
Kingdom, away off to the eastward, the people
of their own race, but possessed of great knowl-
edge and rich in all the savage mind regards as
valuable. 1t is, therefore, not a matter Of sur
prise that those islanders all want to come to
King Kalakaua's dominions, &" where there's
work and food for all, as the Irish e~migrant
song has it.
But it is not SO much for the purpose of sup
plying Immediately our labor market that we re-
gard so fayorably this scheme of immigration
from Polynesia, but more particularly to recu-
perate the aboriginal Hawaiian race, and by the
infusion of new blood and vigorous health, ena-
bic the nation to take a new start, and give it a
still better chance to escape the doom of extinc-
ton so often foretold.
1t is to the interest of all that these new i'm
should be used well. They are, in a
Board of immigration, in whose charge they
are, should see that no advantage is taken of
their ignorance of our laws and customs. we
must remember that the success of future yoy-
ages will be greatly affected by the accounts these
immigrants may send home to their friends. 1t
is true, and is to be regretted. that the Board is
only an advisory, lot an executive body and it
is to be expected that the Assembly will give it
that legal status which is absolutely requisite for
is successful working.
In conclusion, we say, let US send for more of
.hese people at once, and get as many women
lmong them as possible. We engage to return
hem to their homes at the expiration of a GER
period Let us make their residence among
Is SO pleasant that they will prefer to stay with
is and make these Islands their permanent
home.
Circuit Court, Second Judicial District,