The Hawaiian gazette. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu, Hawaii]) 1865-1918, 1879-04-02
The Labor Question.

To The Editor Of the HaTaiian GdEstts.
SIR,-I cannot too much admire the candor of
Mr.. W. r. Castles letter in the advertiser OF Satur
day last. He, like msny Others, the necessity
of prompt action if We desire prosperity to
survive the Life OF the Reciprocity Treaty. He be-
lieyes We should not attempt 10 introduce East
Indians, principally for two reasons, first that they
feeble race swept off in myriads in their own
country by cholera and famine, not likely through
filth and proneness TO disease to make good labor
ers, aud that they might bring here the seeds of
"cholera, and will not probably improve the
"uational blood to leprosy and some other
"loathsome diseases Second that being British
subjects 1--WE shall hud practically that the behests
" OF two governments will have to be observed"
But "perhaps the first aud most practical one is
1.-The expense" answer this as in a former letter.
We do not know what the expense will be; Mr..
Carter got his information in London, not in India
1t may be all wrong. Let US go to the fountain
head India aud fud out there. If We then find the
expense too great for us to incur We can abandon
the project.
To the objection first noted 1 reply that although
swept off by many thousands in their own country
they can not be weak or effete race. They multi
ply so rapidly that it is difficult matter to feed
them. Mr.. Horne says they have filed Mauritius
"sre good servants and laborers, and not more liza
"be to disease than men of any other nationality
We have had few OF them here in past years,
some of whom have known, and as far as know all
have been good citizens. One survives, servant
to Mr.. W. Pfuger OF the firm of Messrs. Hackfed
& Co, but believe he is native OF Goa. In one
of the prize assays kindly lent me by Mr. Carter
occurs the following passage: " There can be no
doubt that if Africans in sufficient numbers are
unattainable, the Bengal aud Madras coolies are
"laborers best snited 10 our climate and iusti-
"tutions and the restrictions which have hitherto
"been thrown in the way of emigration By the
Indian government be removed......it does not
"reQuire prophet to fOrtell glorious iuture
s.fnr tile magnificent province of British Guiana"
Why rot of the Hawaiian Islands as weilg
With respect to Mr.. Castles other objection,
their being British subjects. Do not let US throw
away q possible blessing before We know tha; We
shall incur danger from the British government.
She hideous spectre certainly, but she did once
restore the independence OF Hawaii, when II had
been wrougfully taken and she probably still inds
it to her interest to respect that Independence.
/ Like the American Munster, the British Commis-
siouer is stationed here to watch over the interests
/ of mis- countrymen. 1t might be his duty at any
moment to intervene for their protection between
4 them sad this government have never heard of
/ his having done so yet, and that is the guarantee
must take for the future; but even II We do not
] employ these people cannot OURSELVES OI
| formidable person. have not time al present 10
/ treat this objection as fully as it deserves.
! Il is certain, We snail never know what dangers
/ We have to appreheud if We do not make proper
! enquiries
4 Nr Castles hope in South Sea Islanders fear
/ will not be realized. letter from the Minister OF
/ the Interior sent some months ago. accepting the
! offer made By firm in FIJI TO Introduce some OF
/ these people, of whom was to have had twenty,
has not been answered, and we now see Fiji, her
self no great distance from the islands they are
brought from, is introducing East India coolies as
| laborers.
| A correspondent signing in the last issue OF
YOUR paper who evidently not present during
| the earlier part of the meeting says no one can
act intelligently without the iacts. Let Us have
| Them" quite agree with him. Let Us have the
| facts by all means Here are some of them. In his
report to the Legislature last year the Minister OF
Finance, Mr. Kapenz said wages have still an up
| ward iendeney..... By reason OF this demand Tor
| labor II must be expected that those "bo heea
| labor will seek to supply themselves from loc4i
" ties whence it be most conveniently obtained,
! land on the cheapest terms. Labor as we'll as
| "capital will be sought for abroad BY those en-
| gagged 10 our agricultural and commercial enter
"prises, and TO abridge unnecessarily their liberty
in this respect would be suicidaL" ms state
ment applies equally to the present as to the past.
A little farther in the same report We and " IN
" Juae last, the Hon. H. A. p Carter, being about
"to proceed to London Minister Pienipotentiary,
I the Board tof ImmigratioD) Authorized him 10
look thoroughly into the feasibility Oh an Easi
"prAeiical arrangements for putting it into opera
ton. 1t was deemed desirable tnat an arrange
"me1t or understanding should be had with the
British authorities, by means OF which the immi-
"gration would be facilitated and placed Upon z
" paving and permanent basis" Admirable means
Careful ministry How thoroughly agree viii
you. But let me continue my quotation. "Unior-
"tunsfely the famine which prevailed in India pre-
| scented insurmountable obstacies-snd reports
"from Ar. Carter show that Circumstances are on
favorable at present-to any arrangements "nlcl tl
"can be made available Tor an Immigration Iron
the Indies The Board have therefore forborne Z
press the project, and have taken Mr.. Carter
advice to await more favorable opportunity.
Mr.. Carter says that he was received with eonr
tesy ard respect by the government OF Great Brt
tain, and we have heard that every Information wa
given. facility promised and that TO help us out
our difficulties. Lord Salisbury suggested that
possible Mr. Wodehouse should go to India Doe
This agree with the declaration Of the late minIstr
that the famine which prevailed in India presente
insurnaorhtable obstsciess : Yet that declaration
was made in solemn report 10 the legislative al
sembIy in 1875 1t Is fatty contradieted BY inform
| alton received from other sources In the nea