The Hawaiian star. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu]) 1893-1912, 1894-09-15
THE NATIONAL POLICY.
MINISTER THURSToN GOES TO
EUROPE THEREON.
Empowered to Treat for Plantation In
bor-Places to be visited-Plan
of Operation.


of Operation.
Minister Lorrin A. Thurston left to-
day on a mission which will revolu-
tionize the labor situation in this
country and will very soon settle the
question, one way or the other, which
has been SO vexatous and problemati-
cal for several years.
The Minister goes to Washington
where he will remain about one week,
after which he will proceed to London
where he will be in touch with inn
migration agents as well as with the
Portuguese Government. The purpose
of the trip is to secure Portuguese
aborers for the canefelds of Hawaii.
Since Mr.. Thurston's return to this
country from his post at Washington,
the labor question has been one of the
most important with which the Gov
eminent has been confronted. Min
lister Thurston has taken an active hand
in deliberations and has been of great
service to the Government in outlining
its present policy.
Within the past month the Govern
ment has arrived at the conclusion that
the importation of Asiatics for the cane
fields of Hawaii must be checked, and
that it remains the best interest of the
Republic to procure European labor for
this country. Mr.. Thurston Is commits
stoned to this end.
From here he will be accompanied by
Col z. s. Spaulding, an extensive
planter of Kauai, and the two gentle
men will be joined In San Francisco by
| Mr. Alexander of Oakland, who is
interested with Mr.. Baldwin in a very
large plantation on Maui. From San
Francisco the commission will proceed
to Washington, and, if no delays are
necessary in the business of the Hawa-
ian Legation there, will continue via.
| New York to London.
In London the three gentlemen will
be met by Messrs. Theo. Ii. Davies,
who is now in England, and Ii. f.
Glade, who is in Germany, who will
complete the Hawaiian Labor Council.
After necessary methods of procedure
have been outlined, the proposition is to
effect arrangements for the immediate
resumption of Portuguese i'm immigration
to the Hawaiian Islands. The laborers
aimed at, for the most part, are those to
be found in Madeira and the Azores
Islands.
Mr.. Thurston goes empowered to act
in various ways to avoid contingencies.
The great object is to formulate and
put into effect labor treaty between
the Government of Portugal and that
of the Republic of Hawaii. If this car
be- done in London, which is coneid.re'
practicable the commission will not pr :
coed farther.
But in ev, mt If failure at that p,iu
the MI ister is authorized and EN-
covered to call labor conference ill.,
the cit, of Lisbon. P frugal, at which
the full purpose of this Government,
and the duty of the Commi sion can he
accomplished. Before the Commission
leaves this part of the proposition, ar
rangements Will be made whereby
regular shipments of Portuguese.
brought as they may be needed, may be
carried on without hitch.
From London, or Lisbon, rs the case
may he, the Minister will proceed to
Madeira and the Azores to complete
arrangements. He has already con-
suited local parties who are familiar
with. these Islands, and carries letters OF
introduction to immigration agents on
both of them. An agency for the Ha'
waiian Government will be established
in either the islands mentioned or in
London, as may seem best to the Min
lister, or such her arrangements as
may, in his Judgment. be best.
After this arrangement has been per.
fected and put into successful operation
it is understood that the Commission
will proceed to negotiate with the Gov.
ernments OF Italy and Norway for the
introduction to this country Of a suffi
cient number OF Italians and Norwe
gians to make thorough test OF thei
efficiency as contract laborers.
Minister Thurston will strive to fulfil
his mission in time to reach Washington
at the opening OF Congress early in De
cember.
The Cabinet had conference will
the Planters Labor and Supply Com
pany at the Executive Building Frida.
morning, during which the planter
were urged against the further importa
of Asiatic labor, and the necessity TO
Europeans was impressed. The plan
! above stated are partly the result OF thi
conference.