The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1856-1888, 1880-05-22

these intelligent and industrious people have not
been brought here, les-not so much in any diGi-
Guilty in obtaining them, or in any obstacles that
may be placed in the way by the Indian Govern
ment-as in the fact that Indian coolies are British
subjects-and this is the real difficulty which the
American member OF the Cabinet cannot possibly
bring themselves to swallow.
Whether this is the real objection or not, / am
not in a position to say. but if it is so, l am quite
sure that it onght not to be. In allowing emf
grafton from India TO these islands. it would un-
doubtedly be the duty OF the Indian Government
to have some guarantee that the emigrants would
be treated at least on an equal footing with those
who have gone 10 Mauritius. Demsrara, and other
parts: and l do not doubt that such matters
would be easily capable OF amicable arrangement
between the two governments.
cannot agree with the paragraph in your last
issue, quoted from that of 10th May, 1877, as to
the desirability Of bringing Enrasians here. Eura-
SLAMS, or half cases, would be completely unified
for agricultural laborers. and IN fact never work
as such. Ii Is true that there are large numbers
of them in the three Presidenc,es-Bengal. Madras
and Bombay, but they have all been brought up
with some sort ofan English education; and 1 can
not call to mind a single instance of an Eurasian
ever working as an agricultural lAborer. Some
few Of them have made for themselves names
which are honored throughout the land, and oc-
cupy onerous Official positions of great trust but
as a class they are unfortunately not a satisfactory
people. 1t being commonly said Of them that they
inherit the vices Of the two races from which they
spring. without the virtues. As a rule the great
aim OF a Eurasieu lad is to become a clerk in a
government ONCE, and II be attains TO that giddy
height his ambition is gratiaed. Many OF them are
employed in the different merchants Offices, and by
the Railway COMPANIES, &C. aud the lowest and
poorest OF them are employed as domestic servants.
In writing thus L an not In any way actuated by a
desire to run down .hese people, among whom, as
l have already stated, may be found many most
worthy and estimable individuals, but / have given
what is, l think, the general impression enter
tanned OF them by all who have come ia contact
with them.
The class Of people who are really wanted are
similar to those VITO have already emigrated to
Demerara. | alldde 10 the ryots of Northern Ben
gal and the Central Provinces. They are an indus
trious and reliable race. and have been used to til
ling the soil, as far back as their earliest tradi-
tons extend. In India caste determines every
mans pOsition.-.the son always following the
same calling as the father. Once a Brahmin, al
ways a Brahmin. unless some degenerate scion of
the race sh0uld break his caste by going across
the Kala Panee (black water. or OCEAN, to the
land of the unhOly pale face. Then are they cast
out and accommodated They may be re-admit-
ted to their caste on their return however. by GO
ing through an ordeal, and performing other pen
ances of a disagreeable and disgusting nature. l
may here say, preparedness, that most of the
young B~engalese of high caste, who have visited
England for educational and other purpose, re-
turn as a rule with a decided liking for roast beef
and bitter ale, and would far sooner eat the flesh
of one of the sacred cows which roam at pleasure
through the city of Bengal, than the dried prepa-
ration obtained from the anne animals.
The ryot class stands however, about as low as
any OF the castles, ana ne loses nothing by going to
other countries. If, in his absence he should ac-
cumulate a fortune, it is most probable that on his
return he would be welcomed with open arms
and no questions asked by the priest or any one
else.
In appearance these people are pleasing, not ex-
actly robust. but wiry and enduring. and from the
fact of their having proved successful in Demerars
/ should imagine there could be no doubt of their
thrieving here. The climate of Demerara has the
reputation of being q deadly one. The soil is
swampy. and the air filed with malaria all the
year round. Cold in winter, and intensely hot 10
summer, while here we enjoy an equable and gen.
ial warmth at all seasons.
In addition to the ryots, I should immagine that
an importation of domestic servants would prove a
boon to the ladies of this community. Excellent
cooks. table servants, c~oachmeu, grooms. &C., may
SIS per month. out of which they board and lodge
themselves. 1t is no. to be expected that they
would come to this country for the sam wages, but
1 am confident they would be cheaper than China
men, and would be preferable in every way. A
Cinnamon is incapable of feeling gratitude or
affection for his employer, but an East Iudiau gets
attached to his master if kindly treated. Many
touching instances of devotion on the part of native
servants, were called forth by the troubulous times Of
the mutiny in 1857.
L think that in saying it would cost from $500, 900
to $500 900. before a single Indian could be got
here,-Mr. Carter probably over estimated the diff
culties in the way, and that a prevailing famine
should be brought forward as a cause for the pre-
vention Of emigration from seems on the
face Of 1t to De ABSURD. At such a time the Govern
ment Of India would only be too glad of an outlet
for the famine stricken people.
1 cannot speak with certainty about the first cost
Of procuring coolies, but 1 believe that for lem
grants going to Demerara. a bonus of about $50 for
every adult is paid to the contractors, who send
their agents into the country to recruit the people,
and have to pay a part OF that sum as bounty to the
cody, before he will consent to leave his home. The
term of service is. I think. five years, and the rate
of wages about $50 a month with house room. but
without board. A full passage with bedding. blank
cts, &c, is also provided. On tea plantations in
Assam and Cochar q bonus of about S35 per adult is
paid to the contractors, and the wages paid are
about SO a month without board.
lam, Sir, Yours, &c.
EDWIN c. FIsHBoURRE.