The Hawaiian gazette. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu, Hawaii]) 1865-1918, 1879-01-22
What Constitutes the Wealth of a
Nation?


There is but one answer to the above ques-
ton, and that is Labor, LABOR. That labor
is the only true wealth of all nations, is as
true as it is trite. We look upon this question
of labor as of SO much consequence to this
little nation, that we offer no apology for re-
curing to it week after week, and impressing
that Importance upon the minds of our people,
for strange as it may seem to many intelligent
minds, the labor question is not understood in
all its bearings upon society as it ought to be.
The time has arrived when the government,
the planters and our business men of all
classes, must look this question fairly in the
face and deal with it as its Importance de-
mands. The scarcity of labor to work the
vast areas of sugar lands now under cultiva-
tion on these Islands, as well as those lying
waste and susceptible of culture, is patent to
every one familiar with the actual condition of
the country. 1t is painful fact, that the ma
tive population is diminishing rapidly, year by
year; but even if that population were in
creasing, the condition of the Islands would
be no better of, for the reason that the ma
tives are averse to laboring upon the sugar
plantations, and therefore, cannot be de-
pended upon by the planters. This fact is
conceded on all hands. We have no fault to
find with the natives if they decline to work on
the plantations. They have perfect right
to do as they please on this subject; but they
must understand at the same time that if they
will not labor, they must not complain if
others do; for it is decree of the Great Ruler
of the Universe, that "out of the sweat of thy
face shalt thou eat bread" In the early days
of their history, and before the advent of the
white man to this group, there was little or
no occasion for the native Hawaiians to labor,
because the Almighty had provided for all
their wants in so bountiful manner that they
had but to stretch forth their hands and pluck
sustenance from the trees, or launch their
light canoes and take from the surrounding
! depths of the mighty Pacific an abundance of
the most delicious fish, which is good food for
man. Indeed, such is the profuse bounty
with which Heaven has blessed these Islands,
llal AuAh6 ASSOoooiy ONOn w lAlCAl
cal light, was, and still is provided. But
with the advent of new race, possessed of
the advantages of intelligence end accustomed
to labor, the former condition of the native
has been changed-radically changed d-and
now he is compelled to confront his destiny
as it is, not as he might desire it. A hundred
years ago, the condition of the native Hawa-
iians was that of unalloyed happiness and per-
feet independence, but now the picture is re-
versed and he must submit to inevitable des-
tiny. ghea, his wants were few and all sup
piled to his hand, now his wants are many,
and to satisfy. them he must labor as other
men do, or stand aside and suffer the penalty
of his disobedienee or fate, as he may choose
to call it. IF the natives will not or cannot
supply the pressing demands of the planters
in the labor line, the men who have their capi-
tai invested in sugar plantations and other
pursuits on these Islands, must make up their
minds TO retrograde and see their business
destroyed, their commerce pafalyzed, and
universal ruin supervene, In OF. her words,