The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1885-1921, 1885-08-17
T FL e
18th.
COLONIZATION.

work of colonization as heroic. He
was correct in his characterization,
so far as the founding of new States
and Commonwealth in the waste
places of the earth is concerned. In
parts of British North America, the
United States, Australia and Africa
colonization is still a heroic work;
and it would have been so at one
time in this country if it had been
attempted. However, no effort at
colonization in the true sense of the
term, ever was made in these Islands;
but if they are to progress as they
should, and if they are to attain to
the measure of possible international
influence, this work must be set about
at once. There is no time to be lost.
The country is lying fallow and un-
productive, as it were, for want of
willing hands to till it's soil and
gather the fruits Of the earth to sup
ply a home, as well as a foreign
market.
The ADVERTISER pointed out re-
Gently the defects in the Homestead
law, and stated what steps the Gov
eminent had taken to give effect to
it. So far as the Government lands
are concerned, however, we do not
think that any systematic scheme at
agricultural settlement, or colonial
ton, as it may be called, can be
presently attempted. The most that
can be done is to prepare for it, and
be ready to act when the Legislature
provides the necessary funds, and
gives authority to proceed without
imposing useless or obstructive con-
ditions.
There is, however, an abundance of
good available land in the hands of
private individuals which cannot be
used for sugar or rice production, but
which is Immediately available for
ordinary agricultural purposes. Some
of this land is leased, some is held in
first hands, but nearly all of it, except
in the raising of cattle and few
sheep, is unproductive. This land is,
of course, at the absolute disposal of
the owners, and may be dealt with by
them without any delay for Legisla-
tive action. They can do with their
own property what they please, which
is not the case either with the Crown
or Government lands. These lands
are not administered like private
property, nor is it proper that the
Crown estates and public lands
should be so administered, despite the
agrarian opinions SO freely promul-
gated in this community of late.
The Nation has an interest in the
national domain which cannot be
ignored or tempered with. The Nation
also has an interest in its aggregate
territory, although the title to the
whole or a part of such territory may
vest in private individuals. The value
of national interest in individual prop
erty is measured by the tax levy. If,
however, large landed estates remain
unimproved, it follows that the ma
tienal interest in such properties rep
resents q smaller measure of value
than it would if the lands were inn
proved. This is aptly illustrated in
the case of many sugar and rice plan
tations on these Islands, the value Of
which has been increased hundred
fold to the State by the expenditure
of capital, the creation of improve
ments and the development of pro-
duetive industries. The taxes levied
upon these plantations now, and the
amounts levied prior to such improve
ments, tell the whole tale.
Now, we hold that inasmuch as the
state or Nation would benefit largely
bv the. settlement of an industrial
population upon private as well as
public lands, every encouragement
should be given to landowners to
seeregate their estates, and sell them
To bona fide settlers upon reasonable
farns as to price and conditions of
navment. Just what form this en-
eonraoement should take it Is not for
- 80 indicate, but something may be
,oarned from the practice in other
Countries, where colonization has been
.vstematized and is operated upon