Saturday press. [volume] (Honolulu, H.I.) 1880-1885, 1882-08-26
PENNY WISE AND POUND FOOLISH


PENNY WISE AND POUND FOOLISH
No subject is Of greater importance to the
planter, at present, than that Of labor supply.
Large crops have been harvested the past
season, which in many cases occupied moro
time than usual, while the large area planted
last year demands attention. 1t is also desra-
BILE that this seasons planting should at least
equal that of iast year. Theso conditions
have demanded, and still demand, larger
forces Of laborors than usual, but the supply
from abroad during the past year has fallen
far short Of tho requirements, and moreover
tho contracts of largo numbers previously pro-
cured have expired, and a still greater number
will expire during the next six months Many
Of the planters, after severe struggles with
The numberloss obstacles in tho way of sue
cess, arc emerging from their difficulties, and
with sufficient supply Of labor they would
have been able, during the two coming har-
vests, to receive measure of reward for their
perseverance, and industry But without the
requisite supply of laborers they will not be
able to properly caro- for the growing crops,
nor put in the necessary planting for the fol-
lowing crop.
AT the planters meeting last March, this
question Of labor supply was tie paramount
one over all others. Many possible sources of
supply we're discussed tried and untricd
fields we're considered; information sought
aud suggestions, theories, queries and plans
in variety were presented. The matter was
treated in manner which Enthusiastically ndi-
Gated its absorbing Importance. The remarks
and bearing of plany of those hard worked.
enduring men, showed that they were terribly
IN earnest. Alter providing necessary means
for making experiments, and relying on the
Portuguese Immigration already established
and in successful operation they returned 10
their homes with brighter hopes for the future
Former administrations had made faithful
efforts Ill attempts to introduce immigrants,
of which tho Portuguese scheme proved the
most satisfactory, both as laborors and for
population. The expense of bringing them
had been large, but this was we'll known, and
was not o. sufficient moment to deter applica-
tons as those filed with the Board Of Immi-
grafton will show.
In the light of these facts, nothing but con-
dennation of the severest kind could follow
the announcement that tho Gibson Ministry
| had forwarded orders to stop the immigration.
The fact in itself was sufficient to procure
profound apprehensions, but the Subsequent
Developments as to the hasty and secret man
Ter III which the Government had takon the
action and dispatched the instructions, caused
curses to be hcaped on the authors of it. That
| men intrusted with tho direction of the affairs
OF the country, and who should have tho inter-
ests OF the people at heart could deal such
| blow at the best interests of the country seems
inexcusable. Many waited to learn if there
were any adequate reasons for tho course pur-
sued, but the only reason so far given is their
cost. which the Ministry state is excessive, to
support which Mr.. Gibson presented an ex-
hioit TO the Legislature of tho cost Of those
brought here by the Monarch. The truth of
this can be judged Of when tho fact is shown
that the cost of the lot by the Monwca-was
not known to the Board OF immigration until
sometime after the instructions had been sent
But even il it had been known, what iustifica-
shown, the applications, without regard TO
cost, were largely in excess of the numbers
reported to DO en- route
Whether the true reason was the personol
spite Of individual members of the Cabinet
toward tho representative sent by the former
Ministry, or some intended snub aimed at the
Planters Company, or mere wanton asser
ton OF power. the result is tho same. Plan
'ations are crippled and the Government has
williully wronged and injured tho best friends
OF the country. Deep feeling and strong
language are justihable in this matter. MANY
iolles and cxcesses may be overlooked, but
unwarranted and wide spread damage Of this
natnro will produce results which neither the
Ministry nor tho King can now prevent. 1t is
OF no avail for Mr. Gibson to say that the
interruption of the immigration Of Portuguese
is only temporary. If even so, at this junct-
are the damage will DO done before immigra
'ion can be again established, and no ono
knows how permanent the interruption may
be. II was interrupted last year, and only by
prompt and active measures was it re-estab-
lished.
All civilized countries watch emigration
from Its borders with jealousy and now after
all the assurances Of tho pas, year, who can
tell what effect this pre-emptory order may
have on the Portuguese Government.
THAT CORONATION.