The Hawaiian gazette. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu, Hawaii]) 1865-1918, 1882-02-15

In the matter of labor the planter has
anything but pleasant outlook just at
present. Whence is he going to supply
the large demand which there will be in
the course of the next II months? For
the moment he seems blocked; China is
shut to him; Portugal has to be negotiated
with; Japan is a mere dream from which
nothing can be expected; Hindustan is
yet untried He certainly cannot afford
to wait very long. If he is to save him
self, and not only himself, but the country
at large. from very serious loss, he must
be looking round for himself, he must be
letting his desires be known in an authori-
tative manner.
Just at this junctTe would be seen the
advantage of having a Planters Associa-
tion. Instead of getting the opinions of
a man here and a man there, the Govern
ment and the Legislative body ought to
be able to get at the opinions of the plant
ers as a body. Exactly what the planter
needs, exactly what he is willing to do for
himself, what he expects should be done
for him, would be very valuable informa-
ton How far is he ready, as a body, to
fall in with a policy which shall not only
look after his interests, but shall also look
after those of other portions of the com
munity An effort to obtain such informa-
ton is now being made by the Govern
ment A circular has been sent to all the
plantations, requesting statistical informa-
ton upon many points; when answers are
received, a valuable amount of reliable
figures will be at hand upon which to
work, which will serve as a basis for plan
ming for the future. These replies would
have been much more valuable were they
to have come to hand after serious discus
sion among the planters themselves. The
main question will probably hinge upon
Hindus and Chinese. There is now very
general feeling, as far as can be judged,
that it would be wise step, at least to try
the former. Ii this is really so, some i'm
mediate steps ought to be taken towards
preparing the way, there is very little time
to lose. Indeed it is quite possible that
the planter will be unable to wait until all
the necessary preliminaries are got
through and a regular trade established,
which will bring him a supply of laborers
adequate to his wants. The only other
large field that can be turned to at once is
China. Some arrangement might posi-
bly, be made with that country, and sup
ply obtained from there at once; the de
tails could not take very long to arrange.
There is one thing, however, if Hawaii
finds herself obliged to turn to China, that
should be well guarded against, and that
is, swamping her own population by an
immigration of celestials who will become
permanent residents. Let the Chinese, if
necessary, be obtained as laborers, but at
the end Of their contracts, let them be
obliged to return whence they came. The
influx of large numbers of Chinese, how
ever necessary they may be to us, who
will take up their abode among us for life,
viii not be viewed with favor by our pow
erful neighbor over the water. In bring
ing labor from China then, great care will
have to be used. 1t would be grave
political and social mistake were a guam
tity of Chinese rushed in here, in the
same manner as these people were brought
over in the latter part of 1880, and the
early part of 1881 The next lot viii have
to come thoroughly under Government
supervision, or at least under such Gov
ernment control as will enable the author
tiles to say, when the contracts expire,
gentlemen, you must return your laborers
home; we cannot allow herd OF people
to roam about our country, picking up
living by retailing opium and cheap gin
1t IS to be hoped that the difficulties
with Portugal may soon be smoothed over,
and that from that source again, plenti
full stream of immigrants may set towards
these shores; but some time must elapse
before things can be finally arranged, at
least three months and possibly longer.
Whatever the Government propose to try
to do with regard to India or China, had
better be set about at once; time is money
to this country.