The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1885-1921, 1885-10-14
Proposed introduction of Portuguese
LabOrers into Tahiti.

Proposed Introduction of Portuguese
LabOrers into Tahiti.
At meeting of the Chamber Of
Agriculture, held at Papeete, on July 4th
last, the subject OF Portuguese immigra-
ton was under discussion. The follow
ing are the proceedings as reported in
the journal Oficiel DIES Establishments
Franchise de L'Oceanic," of August 9th:
ON Goupil then read a letter which
the Portuguese Commissioner at the
Sandwich Islands had addressed to him
on the subject of the introduction into
the colony of immigrants who have
terminated their engagements with the
Hawaiian Government The letter runs
as follows:
"HoNoLULU, April Il, 1885.
Monsieur A. Goupil, President of the
Chamber of Agriculture-Sir have re-
ceived your letter of last December. NJ.
Martiny, Colonial Councillor, has also
written to me on the same subject.
''From letter, and also through in
formation from Father Albert, of the
Catholic Mission, who ought by this
time to he in Tahiti, you will now be
well informed as to all my views in re-
gard to this idea of the immigration of
Portuguese into Tahiti.
81 should add that the arrival OF a
vessel with one thousand japanese, the
probability of the introduction OF still
greater number, and the reduction OF
wages, which has already made itself
felt, lead me to believe that a certain
number of Portuguese will seek their
fortunes elsewhere.
''More than six hundred persons finish
their contracts in June and September
of this year, and some say they will
voluntarily go to Tahiti, if free passage
be offered them, or at least one payable
by their labor after arrival. L do not
think they will decide to go on any other
/ terms.
eff one of the steamers which run be-
| tween San Francisco and Papeete would
at this time touch at Honolulu, it is GER
tain that some will 60 under the condi-
tons have indicated. They have all
numerous families, which renders the
Journey by way of San Francisco very
expensive. Accept, etc,
GA. de SoUzA CANAvARRO.
IN. Jean Rey was not in favor of in
Producing Portuguese laborers into the
colony on account of their troublesome
and quarrelsome character.
an. Young said that he had seen Por
t,ouese Iaborers at work at the Caroline
Islands and that the observation mad'
bv M. Jean Rev was not without foun
: dation; he had also observed the immi
grafton into the Sandwich Islands, and
, it had not been successful, he though
that it must be owing to the system un
der which the laborers were engaged
He thought that as free labOrers the
might be of use to the colony, but h
could not understand why they shoul
4 leave the Sandwich Islands.
! IN. Goupil replied that evidently ely
j. ilized men could not often be brought
l. put up with the immigration system an
the little vexations which it impose
upon them; it was therefore not caus
for wonder that under this system tn
Portuguese are not easily manageable
but any difficulties that might have o.
Cured with them as immigrants prove
nothing against them as free laborer'
{ and it was in that capacity only that W
v could dream of bringing them to Tahiti
It AS to the reasons why they desired
n Quit the Sandwich Islands, they appeare
- =, oft 70 no
of wages and the introduction into II
J. islands OF Japanese labor. The Port
e guese desired to have free work and Il
rt their own advantage; they desired {
n. much as possible to attach themsely'
to the soil; that is exactly the sort
colonization which we ought to encou
age.
IL IN. Langomazino believed that as IL
e, Chamber had entered into relations wit
IN the French Colonization Society in tt
= hope that that society will succeed
directing to Tahiti part of the colonis
: who address themselves to it, 1t Won
be better to preserve the means Wh'
IN the colony had at disposal for the intr
duction of French colOnists.
IN Goupil, whilst arguing III Il
20 opinion that French colonists should
attracted here, did not think they shou
er discourage the introduction OF foreii
d n, laborers, provided that these were re
Is; and honest colonists. In fact, the Char
- bers had but one aim, the developme
- of the agricultural resources OF the c.
ony 1t could therefore recommend
the Administration to set aside part
nd nd the credit at their disposal for immigl
lie ie' ton, if there were any, to defray the e
ut pense of introducing a few Portugue
,or families, asking the Portuguese Comm
III -;onar at Honolulu to make u SeleCJI
L., from among the immigraI