Saturday press. [volume] (Honolulu, H.I.) 1880-1885, 1883-11-10
.fzOREIN IMMIGRIrION.

Some Interesting Fac,s Concerning n.
Nh. Abraham Hofnung, Of the London
firm Of Messrs. A. Hoffnung & CO., arrived in
Honolulu by the las, Zealandia. This gentle.
man has had much to do with the introduction
Of Portuguese laborers into this kingdom. and
has performed his share Of that great work with
painstaking fidelity to its every detail. No one
is better entitled to hearing upon the topic OF
immigration, and no one is better qualified to
discuss It. Mr.. Hoffnung's arrival here was
stated by one Of the dalies to be in order Ia
find out why Portuguese immigration had been
stopped. His real reason, he has assured the
writer, was to take advantage Of break which
he hopes to be only temporary, and to visit the
friends and the field made imperfectly familiar
by correspondence, by general reading and by
his acquaintance with Hawaiian citizens in
London. by his visit he hopes to become
thoroughly familiar with the conditions under
which the immigration Of Azorcans has so far
prospercd, to understand the difficulties
inseparable from the delicate adjustment oil
strange laborers to somewhat novel employ.
ment and manner of life to meet planters and
agents on their own ground and to arrive at the
best possible understanding with those who are
interested in the subject of immigration, and
who have influence or interest for or against its
continuance.
Mr.. IIofinung is gentleman whose grasp oil
the immigration subject cannot be doubted
after one has spent two hours with him in tall,
ing over immigration matters and the Pres,
advises those of its. readers who are planters
agents, or students of political economy and
sociology, TO meet Mr. Hoffnung il il be pos
| sibe to do so, and learn at first hand hi,
opinions, his convictions and his ndisputabl,
facts. To meet man Of affairs whose com
mercial horizon is not bounded by the ocean
that surrounds him, and whose intellectual
horizon is not less broad, is something NOR,
than mere fortuity; it is a privilege.
The following condensed summary Of wha
Mr.. Hofnung knows about Azorean immigra
| lion is the result of several conversations, ir
which tina, gentleman said:
"My friendship and admiration for YOU
present minister to Washington, Mr.. Henri,
Carter, were the levers which first induced m,
10 look into the subject of bringing Portuguese,
or Azoreans to this county. Mr.. Carter ant
| met in London, and the craftsmanship with
which he analyzed the differing phases and
| obstinate difficulties of the cthnic and agricu
tural problems then under earnest discussion
here, charmed me with the man and fascinated
me with his country. 1t would be idle to sa,
that entered into Mr.. Carter's schemes with
out an eye to the profits Of the venture. II
made contrary claim should not be believed
if | had done SO | should have been a foolish
merchant. But did not lose sight of the fac
that was attempting a work hedged in with
many and formidable risks; and without strong
friendship and respect for the Hawaiian envo,
| should undoubtedly have made other ant
safer ventures, nd thus, it is probable, hav,
had less good an excuse than my present on,
to visit this delightful land.
"You have asked me to describe tn,
machinery necessary TO the complicated worl
OF the details would be long and ,hankles
task. In considering even the few genera
features that are necessary to a sufficient under
standing of what has to be done in bringing
immigrants here, it is necessary first to remem
Der that large outlay has to be made before i
is sure that single emigrant can be secured
and further large outlay before the Hawaiian
government can be called upon for a farthing
1t will be readily understood that some fore
thought and large capital are required il
order to set this machinery in motion, I,
keep ii in motion and to secure results which
favor a continuance Of the business, and which
at the same time, make a showing on the RICH
side of the ledger.
9 In the first place it is no easy matter t,
charter the right kind Of steamer at the RICH
time. Steamers are chartered in two differen
ways on time, in which the charterer pays
specified sum per day for the round trip o
by space, in which case the risk is less and tn
profits usually greater. The MonaIch-frs
OF the five steamers sent-was chartered by pay
ing for the space occupied The same wa
true of the Hansa and the Bell Rock Tn
Abergeldie and the Hapkow were char
tered for the round trip. After the charter i
arranged-on which heavy advance must al
ways be madc--thc vessel must be fitted 70
the accommodation Of emigrants. Often thi
comprehends the construction of lower deck
and always Of hunks, stairways, cooking gal
leys, hospital and store rooms. The Portu
guese emigration laws are stingent in demand
ing certain amount Of space-Ioo cubic feet
for each emigrant, male and female, adult an,
infant. As consequence fewer can he takei
than recognized sanitary laws admit, while tn,
charterer is obliged to pay either for the bull
space engaged or pays daily charter rat
which may not be reimbursed by the result o
the venture. The wood employed in the re
CURED reiittng sells Of course for less than tn,
price of old lumber generally because of tn,
uses to which it has been put.
II the requirements of the Portuguese,
government in regard to the space are exactinl
those in regard to provisions are even NOR
esacting. A full ration is required TO be fur
En.shed for every soul embarking A steame
is provisioned for 70 days although the triI
from St. Michaels here has been made ON al
average Of 90 days. An account Of the pro
visions brought on the Bell Rock win shov
something Of the outlay demanded in provis
ioning an emigrant ship. Fully third o
that large stock remained unused when tn,
ship arrived here and most of il must lie sol,
at a loss in addition to the loss Of interest.
" Whether vessel be chartered by space o
on time distinct retinue of employees mus
be engaged at the expense Of the charterer
These include physician a purser. store
keepers and stewards; and they are all en-
gagged with the understanding that they shall
be returned to England il they so desire.
"a portion Of all the expenditures men