The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1856-1888, 1879-07-19
The Labor Question.

1AAN- " NSAAHS u " OAG BAaulD Va AAC
subject. the other two continually thrusting them
selves before the mind and claiming equal con-
sideration with their fellow. This is particularly
the case when one o. the disputants supposes his
opponent to be aiming at other objects than those
for which be prOfessedly contends.
With this short preface / pass to your impartial
report Of proceedings on the above subject at the
Chamber OF Commerce on the 10th inst. 1t was
not my intention at that time to have touched the
political element at all. 1 intended to have left
1t for n more fitting opportunity, and to have con-
fined my observations solely to the social and
financial aspects Of the question. But not to men
ton reasons. I did inadvertently remark that the
British Sovereign and Government had been in
suited by the conduct Of Mr.. Carriers mission 20
London. His Honor the Chief Justice warmly
denied that any Insult had been offered, or that
any one had complained of insult. and certainly
be ought to know, for he has told us that he WAS
present and that he and Mr.. Carter took COUNSEL
together. 1t follows that His Honor and my
obscure self are at issue on a question OF fact
This would not have maitered much had not the
blot been bit and published for in public discus
siOns Ike that reported, when a dozen or so most
ly friends aud acquaintance meet to talk over
measures affecting themselves. a hasty expression
is soon forgotten when made public it is a diff
ferent and more serious matter.
Afer all, what constitutes an insult Is in some
cases q mere matter Of opinion, so that His Honor
and myself may boIh be right and 1 feel bonnd
to cOncede that ! should have prelaced my unfor-
tunate remark with the words " If British officials
are TO be credited" l now proceed to furnish
evidence to sustain my view.
Firt-I reproduce q sentence before quoted
from the Ministerial Report addressed to the
Legislative Assembly OF 1878, as follows: L" Un-
fortunately. the famine which prevailed in India,
presented insurmountable Obstacles-and reports
from Mr.. Carter show that circumstances are un-
favorable at present-to any arrangements which
can be made available for an immigration from
the Indies."-
Second.-I reproduce q sentence also before
quoted from Mr.. Carriers letter OF Oct. 18th, 1877.
10 His Majesty the King II can do nothing at
the India OHce till the Foreign Ofce decide
these Matters. That is, matters relating to re-
turn duties.
Third.--It is known from sources which can be
none else than British and Official. not only that
Mr. Carter was negotiating with. the British Gov
eminent for the convention to enable us to procure
coolies from India, but that the proposition was
f~svorably received, every facility promised, and
the negotiations had progressed so far that Lord
Salisbury, who was then at the head OF the India
OHce. advised that Mr.. Wodehouse should go 10
India. and offered 10 give him credentials to the
Duke OF Buckingham, Governor OF Madras, to en-
able him to get the consent OF the Government OF
India to The instrumentation, what happened :
Why Mr.. Carter abruptly broke of the negotiation
and would move no further in the matter. That
ia, on the faith OF his mission, he obtained an audi
euce Of the Sovereign and entered into negotiation
with the Government OF Great Britain, and when
assured Of their friendly cooperation he would
have nothing further to say to them.
Now, II the British story is true-and we may
assure ourselves that coming from high official
sources, they themselves believe it-what are We
to think Of Mr.. Carriers proceedings? Would not
any man with q grain OF intelligence say without
a moments hesitation they are OF a reprehensible
character. II nothing worse. he unnecessarily
obtained IN audience Of the-Sovereign. and vast
ed the time OF the highest officers OF q government,
actuated by the most kindly feelings towards the
Sovereign and people he represented. when ho de-
termined not 10 carry the negotiations to the con-
clusion he proressed to seek, as 1t was his duty to
have done.
Good faith, honesty OF intention, and straight
forwardness of action are as necessary to us as
pure air and wholesome food. Our Courts of law
are supported by the state to enforce them be-
tween man and ian in the every day affairs of
life and it would be deplorable if they should
not be carefully and rigidly adhered to in public
matters. We may rely upon it that those who
discard their practice will, in the long RIM. be the
sufferers.
OF what worth are professions of friendship TO-
wards Great Britain. when our most prominent and
influential public men. those who have the entire
direction Of public matters. prevent the introduc-
ton Of men aud women, British subjects. while
they allow Chinese males by thousands unaccom-
panied by their wives to come in and distribute
themselves throughout the country without him
drance.
III / have shown-taking for granted the truth
Of this British story as to the point at which nego-
tiations had reached-that the treatment the Bril-
fish Sovereign and Government experienced at
the hands of Mr.. Carter was the reverse of courte-
Gus, what shall be said OF the outrage offered to
the Sovereign Of Hawaii mel? Americans
British. French, Germans. native Hawaiians, all
were interested in the introduction OF these
Indians. Foreigners had their means invested in
the cultivation OF the land, had been seeking and
clamoring for laborers for years. until at last
Government pretended to take the matter in hand.
and with a great flourish of drums and trumpets
sent Mr.. Carter on his mission.
And what has been the RESULT Are We to be-
lieve that the late Government and Mr.. Carter,
gentlemen OF the highest respectability and stand
ing in the community, are We to suppose that they
themselves have defeated tn" scheme he was sent
to prosecute and realizei Are we TO believe that
the Sovereign has been insulted. merchants.
planters. and all seeking laborers. Knocked. the
Legislative Assembly deceived Yet If this British
story be true. all this and a great deal more fol
lows Mr.. Carriers failure to act, unless some very
good reason not yet made public exists. As re-
CARDS native Hawaiians, the refusal to complete
the convention, il by any means avOidable. was
an act Of positive cruelty. Itmay almost be said
ID be their death warrant whereas, had the
negotiations been carried to their legitimate con-
clusion. the country might by this time have re-
ceived large numbers both OF men and women,
instead Of being overrun by bordes OF single men.
p. n.;no Il lna Inrno Ia on.oi;n. .onannnt