The Hawaiian gazette. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu, Hawaii]) 1865-1918, 1881-03-02
The Nerwegian Im,nirrants.

The arrival of the bark Bfta ON February 10th,
at Maalaea, with ~ Norwegians, together with
their children, was hailed by the people of Maui
as an event of no small importance to the indus
tries as we'll as to the social interests of these
Islands, Ii will be remembered that Capt Il
Orange went last fall under the auspices of the
Board of immigration to procure these people,
Great credit is due to him for the tact and
abiity with which he oyeroame their fears about
immigrating TO distant, almost unknown country,
under suspicious looking labor contracts, and Sc
leeted the best of workmen The most noticeable
thing about these immigrants is their health and
yigor. They are nearly all men and women of
from eighteen to thirty years of age of just the
age for the most arduous labor. The physician of
the Board of Eealth pronounces them the most
healthy company of men, women and children he
has ever seen and afirms that they are without the
slightest taint of infectious diseases.
The planters, who are so fortunate as to obtain
these laborers, highly value their adaptability by
skill, as well as by physical strength, for almost
every kind of work of plantations. There are
amongst them carpenters, blacksmiths masons
painters, carvers, tailors, shoemakers, saddle
makers, npholsterers, harness makers, printers
and engineers, while many of the women are ad-
miraby adapted for housekeepers. A band formed
from amongst them for excellent vocal and instru-
mental music Will be quite an acquisition to re-
ueNe the IeuluIn plantation lie. 1t pleasant
to receive testimonials of their good conduct with
former masters; as all of them have certificates
for periods of from three to eight wears testi
flying to their ability faithfulness and morality.
while nearly all carry such certificates in their
looks. To many 1t will seem a matter of no small
importance that they are by religion Lutherans
and some of them probably devoutly good Dur
ing the voyage they had regular religious services
on the Sabbath. One of their number is a preach
er, who goes to Hawaii as the people of Maui re-
gret, where, however, he is doubtless much needed
Since landing they have been orderly and con
tented and have expressed themselves as much
pleased with their new circumstances, although bv
their unusually good voyage they arrived before
the planters were prepared for them. and although
they tnd much difficulty at first in conversing In
the English language.
With the aid afforded by the Board of Immiora-
tlon they cost about one hundred dollars apiece
which IS about the amount often paid out as ad-
vances for shipping Chinese and Hawaiians. who
work for wages of from twelve 10 twenty dollars
per month; while these Immigrants bepinniuo
without an advance, without Indebtedness work
for the monthly wages of nine dollars and found
Tor the men, and four dollars and found for the
women. They are shipped for terms of three
years.
1t has been objected that laborers of a superior
class like this, will be able to set IN for indepen
dent business at the expiration of their labor CON
tracts. 1t may be replied that men, who viii not
IN three years gain means and opportunities of
oetterng their circumstances are not worth Inuch
Tor laborers that II Is desirable to fill the contry
with thrifty independent laborers; and that If |
these decline TO ship again at the end of their
stipulated terms Of service, more of the same peo-
pie can then be imported from Norway to take |
their place.
In estimating their value as laborers it should |
be noticed, that they viii work cheaper than our
former laborers; that they Will be more reliable
laborers than have formerly been obtained, being
by habit and character, patient industrious and |
obedient workmen; that they are skilfRi laborers |
for nearly all mechanical trades; that they bring
their 'oires and children and many worthy unmar-
NED women with them that they are lG,r-abidfEg
eiritsed people, with whom the best classes will |
feel safe and will somewhat associate; and more /
than all that they are generally Christian people,
who viii tend to upbuild a righteous, rather
than pagan community. No such body of |
laborers have ever heretofore been imported to
these islands. No better class can be imported by
our Board of Immigration. 1t were well for many
thousand Of them to be introduced and to be ma
turalized and given the elective franchise.
J. II. AlExASDER. |