The Hawaiian gazette. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu, Hawaii]) 1865-1918, 1881-11-30


IT has been determined by the King, in
Cabinet Council. after long and careful
consideration to send Minister Pleni-
potentiary to Portugal at once, with power
to conclude treaty, and also treat IN the
matter of immigration. There IS no treaty
between Portugal and this Kingdom, and
though we are now looking solely to that
country for laborsrs, we have no rights
there save those which are given by gen
eral and ill-defned international laws.
The Commissioner of immigration, we
are informed, remained in Portugal after
His Majesty left and conferred with the
Portuguese authorities on the situation as
well as with Mr.. Secmann of St. Alichaels,
who has superintended emigration from
that point. He reports TO the Foreign
Office that emigration may be stopped at
any moment; that the Portuguese emigra-
ton laws are very strict, and that any
vigorous enforcement of them would alb
r1ptly terminate all emigration. That the
Portuguese Government would prefer to
see the people go to their own colonies IN
Africa; that the contractors who are now
bringing laborers here are liable to great
losses, inasmuch as vessels have to be
chartered and certain number of emi-
grants guaranteed, while there is, under
present circumstances. a risk that emf
grants may be prevented from starting
that, moreover, the stories about slavery"
here may get into the politics of the Portu-
guese Legislative body and make serious
mischief: that while the present emigration
plan may run on smoothly, it Is uuwlse to
take risks in the matter while the vital in
terests of the country are at stake; that
difficulties have already arisen which were
only averted by great tact and most skill
full management 1nasmuch Us the Portu-
guese labOrers give general satisfaction in
this country. and there is no place which
so readily furnishes women with the men;
the government has determined to act
promptly in the matter, and put the whole
subject on such footing that our planters
may see in the near future complete and
satisfactory solution of the labor question.
Mr. Carter has beeu asked to leave in the
December steamer on this mission. There
are many reasons why he should remain
here. He is probably as well aware as any
one that he cannot be accused of running
from the fight. He knows, as we know,
that many charges viii be made against
him in the Legislature and he should be
here to meet them. His colleagues in the
government must know this, and feel that
his absence will cast upon them most
serious task. We understand that Mr.
Carter would prefer delaying this mission
until after the meeting Of the Legislative
body. The King and Cabinet, however,
feel that the interests of the Kingdom are
paramount.
1t might be urged that some other gentle
man should be sent in Mr.. Carriers place
but we have not among cur available men
any one who has had experience in dealing
with our treaties and is at the same time
thoroughly conversant with immigration
matters. Under the circumstances we
hardly see what other course the Cabinet
had open to them. We are given to un-
derstand that as Mr. Carter is expected to
return during the session of the Legis-
lature His Majesty will appoint Mr.. Arm
strong, Minister OF Interior nd interim.