The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1856-1888, 1881-09-17

BELOW we give an extract from a rather
remarkable document, in which the Presi-
dent of the Board of Health has embodied
his views as to how South Sea Islanders
ought to be treated by their contract en-
ployers. Everything he has to say is very
good in its way, except for the fact hat it
comes rather late in the day. Contract
laborers from the South Seas have been
imported for some years by a paternal gov
eminent, M when persuaded to leave their
homes, they have been led to believe that
their interests would be paternally locke
after. Even if no such idea had been in
stilIed into them, the duty of the Govern
ment was no less clear and obligatory. At
the very least, the Government of a Ha-
waiian King might be looked to for as
careful tending of P~Olynesian immigrants,
induced to leave their homes by agents
acting under his authority, as is given to
similar immigrants brought by private i'll
dividuals, for their own benefit, into the
colonies under the rule of Great Britain.
Yet, if it has now been found neces-
sary for Mr.. Carter to write such a letter
to the native protector, as that from
which our extract is taken, it is quite
evident that such an expectation has, in
the past, been belied; and that South Sea
Island laborers lave been better cared for
and better off in Queensland and in Fiji
than they have been here.
Extract from Letter of the President Of the Board
Of Immigration TO Req. Mr.. Bingham.
First-wages under these particular contracts are tc
be paid at the end of each calendar month, commencing
from the date of the arrival of the immigrant at Homo
lulu. At the end of three years &c months
from the date of his arrival in Honolulu his contract ex
Second-As to what constitutes being properly lodg
ed" it is somewhat difficult TO define. Each family
The law requires 800 cubic feet of space for each adult
or 900 feet for d man, woman, and two children; and the
or shutter) and a complete protection from rain, and sc
raised above the ground as TO avoid ~dampness. A sepsr
ate house for each family is much to be preferred. The
rooms and houses should be kept clean inside; white
washing or other cleansing is more important for health
than whltewashing outside.
Third. All necessary and suitable bedding and bed
clothing ." means at least one mat or mattress of proper
size, and a good blanket for each individual; and both the
mat and blanket should be replaced when by ordinary
use and wear they become unfit for use.
FOURTH Good and suitable food" stipulated for in
the contract, implies proper and sufficient food for such
persons. In view of the diet they have been accustomed
to. diet wholly OF rice is not sufficient for South Sea
Islanders, who are unaccustomed to it. Poi or kalC
Their daily rations should be equivalent TO one and one
half pounds rice or three pounds paiai for each adult, and
half as much for each child, besides beef or salmon: II
this cannot be obtained, -four or bread should be given
with the rice. Fresh beef should be furnished as well as
salmon and salt beef. Good and suitable food " GER
tainly includes suitable diet in sickness.
Fifth Sufficient and suitable medical attendance
means the attendance of q professional medical man
when such can be obtained; otherwise the best attend
ance that the facilities and Judgment of the employer car
provide. If the services of Il medical man can be procur
ed, it is obligatory upon the employer TO procure them
No laborer who insists that he is unable to work, on &C
pronounced by the physician TO be able to work. In this
absence of such physician, he should not be forced &c
labor on the judgment of a subordinate overseer or luna
Each case of alleged sickness should be carefully con
compelled to work when really i'll, it might be held as
man-sisughter.