The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1885-1921, 1885-08-05
WEDNESDAY August 9TH
PORTUGUESE IMMIGRATION.

On the 1st instant we stated that
the Government had made arrange
ments with Mr.. Hoffnung to renew
Portuguese immigration on a modi-
fed scale, and congratulated them
upon the fact. Evidently others were
of an identical opinion, because up to
the 4tk instant inclusive the Minister
of the Interior had received four APP
plications for 1876 male adult Portu-
guese laborers who, with their wives
and families, will be sufficient for one
large ship, in response to his official
notification.
This fac t speaks volumes for the
Portuguese. 1t shows that they are
admirably adapted for the needs of
the planters; but far wider field of
usefulness is before them than mere
contract labor. There are abundant
opportunities for men and women of
the thrifty habits of the Portuguese
10 make living, and secure an indie
pendence in this country after their
term of servitude has ended; and in
deed we see no reason why young
Portuguese females, properly trained,
should not be introduced as domestic
servants. From the intimation of
Consul General Irwin regarding Japa-
nese domestic help, as published by
us at the time, we need not expect
q ay great accessions of this desira BILE
- Tor hI1f haR
sible to introduce sufficient Portu-
euese females to enable our house
wives in large measure to dispense
With Cinnamon as house servants.
This would be very desirable change,
FOR reasons which all parents and
guardians will readily recognize.
When on the subject of Portuguese
immigration it may not be amiss to
note the fact that no question has
ever arisen regarding the treatment
or settlement of the Portuguese,
although at least ten thousand of
them have been landed ard domiciled
on these Islands. There has been no
friction, neeessitating special inter-
vention such as lately took place on
the part of the japanese Government,
and as had previously taken place on
the part of the Scandinavian Govern
ment. Not that the Portuguese as a
persons of the same class of other
races, or that the Portuguese Govern
ment is unmindful of the interests of
its people. On the contrary, the Lis
bon Government accredited a Com
missioner and Consul General to this
country to look after the in
terests of the subjects of the
Iberian Kingdom, and it has been
in great measure owing to his un-
firing exertion and intelligent ap-
probation of the necessities of each
case, that prevented anything like
friction occurring in the past, and
doubtless will similarly prevent fric
ton In the future.
We greatly desire to see a steady
immigration from Portugal of the
better class of labor for plantation
and domestic service The majoritv
would remain in this country,
and with their descendants help TO
build it up, and develop it's latent re-
SOurces. There is one point, however,
which should not be forgotten, and
that is in regard to the law of master
and servant. This law needs amend
nent. It is a harsh measure as it
stands, and is not in accord with the
advanced sentiment of the age. We
maintain that arrest for breach of
civil contract is mistake. Itinflicts
great and unnecessary hardship ON
the servant, and tends to degrade him
as a criminal when he should simplv
be held amenable to civil process.
Again, it should be borne in mind
that the labor contract is made with
the Government and not with the
planter, the latter being simply an
employment agent to give it effect.
The Government must therefore see
TO it that contract laborers are proper
~ TIRE ated, whether white or brown,