The Hawaiian gazette., 1901-05-17
.L-ABORERS
IN HAWAII
Many Efforts to
Get Suitable
Men.

| Inc question or labor In hawaii Is
dealt with at some length In "a report on
the agricultural resources and capabil-
ties Of that Territory. recently issued by
the office OF experiment stations of the
Department Of Agriculture For half a
century, It is said. the resources and in
genuity of the planters OF the Islands
have been taxed In devising the best
means of procuring laborers suitable for
their work. Special commissioners have
been dispatched to distant parts of the
globe for the purpose OF obtaining the
desired immigration. Earnest efforts
| have been made in the way OF carefully
prepared reports and eXtens We CORE
spondence. Large sums of money have
been expended for costly voyages in the
hope of obtaining permanent additions to
the population of the islands which
would develop and maintain the growing
| agriculture.
| The report continues:
From the first arrival of coolies, in
| 1857, up to the present time there has
been no cessation in the arduous efforts
| to obtain an adequate supply of labor
for the plantations. The Royal Hawaii
an Agricultural Society, established in
| 1850 issued n circular stating that the
|
to supply the places of the rapidly de-
creasing native population was subject
| of great Importance. In 1852 the first in
PRODUCTION of coolies was made and the
experiment was satisfactory. They prov
ed able and willing laborers and quieted
for while all apprehension of future
trouble in obtaining labor. Other car
goes We're soon sent for and received.
But while the coolies were and are
good workers II was soon discovered that
laborers imported for plantations could
not be relied upon as permanent settlers
and homeseekers, and were. therefore,
from IA State standpoint, very undesir-
able immigrants. The planters wanted
laborers for profit: the King desired per-
manent settlers for the benefit of the
country. To bring In immigrants re-
CURED funds, which the former alone
could supply, but they We're unwilling to
burden themselves with the trouble and
expense of families. Hence the plans of
the King failed. In 1859 few South |
Sea Islanders were landed on Kauai to !
work on a plantation under contract. |
They resembled Hawaians, We're educat- |
ed, and had Christian names. 1t was |
hoped that this beginning would be the |
means, ultimately, of repopulating the
Islands and supplying the needed labor,
but the hope was never realized. In 1863
another cry for importation of labor was
heard, but the inquiry was everywhere
made: Whom and how? The importa-
ton of white men as laborers was mad
ditto with negroes. The coolie
was an undesirable citizen and as a la
borer of no great value. Private plant
ers would import only men, rejecting
women and children. Laborers could not
be obtained from Pacific islands; there
fore resort must again be had to China.
BUREAU OF IMMIGRATION.
These abuses gave birth to the coolie
laws of the United States, and simulta-
neously in Hawaii a bureau of immigra-
lion was established, taking the business
Of importing laborers from the hands of
he planters and placing It under the
'harge of the Kingdom. The Hawaiians
'laim that no such iniquity as above
ever disgraced the efforts of
heir planters in their work of import
ng laborers. The 'coolie system as
inown elsewhere never existed on the
Stands; the law between employer and
mploye known as the master and ser
ant law was mild, equitable and com
'ulsory for the specific fulflment OF
ontracts.
Efforts were made to secure immi-
rants from India. Japan and Malaysia,
nd the Dutch and English East midas.
III proved abortive, after much discus
ION. diplomacy, and large expenditure
time and money, except with Japan.
"A shipload of Japanese reached the
Glands in 1869. IT
COOPERATION TRIED.
"a new and untried system of coop
ratiye labor was introduced on a small
'ale in 1870. Thirty white men from the
tates were carried over to labor on the
limitations to receive as compensation
le-half of the crop made On account -
the drought inexperience, etc, the
cooperative experiment was far from
aing a decided success.
Again attention was directed TO the
zores and the possibility of obtaining n
'slrable immigrants therefrom. Italy
as also considered as source OF sup
y of future laborers. But nothing tan
Bile was accomplished In July, 1876,
&c treaty of reciprocity between the
awaiian Kingdom and the United
ates was ratified. 1t created great Joy or
I'd much inspiration In every planter IN
e Islands. Extensive improvements ry
ere undertaken at once and energetic -,
forts made to secure more laborers ~
In 1873 the first batch Of Portuguese =,
ON Madeira, secured after patient ef- -
rts. was landed In Honolulu. followed III
on after by cargo OF South Sea ISL
dors, all Of whom proved satisfactory
the planters. In 1851 two vessels filled
IA Norweginna arrived But few OF
en- were agrieulturlsts, and therefore
re soon dissatisfied win life on plan
lions.
Tho propriety OF introducing negroes
IN tbs Southern states was discussed
tbs hoard, with the result Of de.
ed opposition 10 the scheme More -
goes Of South Sea Islanders we're In ~
dueed, followed soon after b. several slo
lssl loads Of Germans
since lsab up 20 the Time OF annszs- W.
y the Introduction OF Chinese, japan
ANA Portuguese has beep made 90
81 the santa of the lAlands The jap
40 and Portuguese haYe been brought
mainly on contract, ana haYlng CON
ifd The Tine " service Tnqulrad -
laltef they hays nitheT rpHrsnd ArFs a..
. " hssn returned % lhef hamns Iii
! ihlntAe hafe ealHn pn ihHlf aHH III