The Hawaiian gazette., 1899-09-01
IMMIGRATION.

A correspondent in another column
asks some searching questions about
The planters may be able to answer
them with more or less satisfaction.
1t is said that the theory upon which
Italian immigration is encouraged is,
that the first few hundred immigrants
will be so kindly treated, that they will
encourage their friends to join them
here; that each well satisfied immi-
grant will become an agent for the
plantations in securing other immi-
grants, and then the business of the
labor supply will take care of itself
without the interference or direct aid
Of the planters. This is now the course
of affairs in the United States and else
where.
Out of the $1,000 Portuguese now
living on these Islands, over 5000 of
them are natives of Portugal and its
dependencies, and their friends and
relatives must number many thous-
ands. Why are not these Portuguese
immigration missionaries. urging and
calling their friends and relatives to
join them here?
1t Is absurd to say that the Italians
win be better laborers and citizens than
the Portuguese. II Is stated on excel
lent authority that out Of the 10000
and more Portuguese immigrants, not
one of them has been charged or con-
victed of murder. Out of about fifteen
Italian immigrants, carefully selected
one Is now under charge of murder.
This indicates the difference in tenn
permanent of the people of the two ma
tons. At the same time, this unfor
tunate crime by an Italian cannot be
held to be conclusive as to the general
character Of Italian laborers, for 1t is
not. The Italians are more resentful
than the Portuguese, but that is an
excellent quality when the resentment
is within bounds. We understand that
the employment of Italians will not be
done in the interests of civilization and
humanity, but because they are, or
may be, the most available laborers
now TO be secured. The plantations are
In the hands OF Professionals. and they
do not propose TO fiji the land with
Papists, in the interest of Christ
ianity.
The reasons why the Portuguese,
who are on the whole, "A quiet and
industrious people, are not supplying
the plantations with labor, will oper-
ate To prevent the Italians, or any
other class, from keeping up the labor
supply II the conditions of the labor
ers are now changed in order to secure
Italians, why are they not changed so
as 10 secure the Portuguese who are
living here? II the inducements are
strong enough TO move the Italians, why
are they not strong enough 10 operate
pu the Portuguese, and encourage them
20 send for their friends and relatives?
There Is not any reason whatever offer
nd To- convince us that the italians will
be more accommodating aud less oN-
acting or BE- more pliabla than the
Portuguese.
After twenty years 81 experience with
The Portuguese laborers, which has
been, ON the whole satisfactory, Il.
seems 90 be unbuslnesslike 10 go on
AZ a tangent IN pursuit Of Italians, on
a general guess that they viii be- more
desirable than the Portuguese. There
can be no moro unscienuhc or lmprac
lIrable theory VI dealing with me Labor
supply
Moreover, lho italian Immigrants.
suuId noe for como limo 10 some p'rr.
Aaps three ur four }nra become
satishrd With hoir surrrss so 40 10 can.
lheir fIouds over Ia large pumhfrs
Iho Portuguese numbolIps som'
thousands should BIO ip q position Gal
urso iheir 'punigmrp io lmmlsrsif
und aesspl lhp ilberal tsrms mode by
ths planters