The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1885-1921, 1901-01-02
.LAB0RERS
FROM ITALY
Many Will Come Here
Probably.
DR. ROSS|'S GOOD REPORT
Emigration Commissioner Will Ad-
wise His Countrymen to
Settle in Hawaii.

Investigating the advisability of allow
ing labor emigration from Italy to the
plantations.
When asked about his mission the
Commissioner plunged at once into the
subject in fluent and graceful English.
Il leave for my home government on
next Saturday" said he, Ito take a re-
port. of my work here. 1t will be
mosA favorable one, and one, that if it
dos not result in some action by the
ItaEan Government in the way of la
Dor emigration, will at least remove
many prejudices that have taken root
in regard to these beautiful Islands.
In coming here, my object primarily
was to look into the lives of the labor
ing people here both of my own nation
atty and others, to ascertain how they
are treated, what kind of food is fur
nished them, the proportion that wages
bear to their living expenses, the cll-
matte conditions affecting them, and
such other things as go to make up
their manner of living. To do this 1
have gone from plantation to planta-
ton, from house to house on each plan
tation, and have lived, so to speak,
fright among the laboring class. l went
from the plantations OF this Island to
those of Hawaii and thence to Maui and
Kauai
Il was agreeably surprised at what
found on the plantations. 1t has been
| reported both in my own country ana
| through the United States, particularly
| in New York and San Francisco, that
vegetables cannot be raised here; also
| that the laborerS are driven and made
to work after the manner of slaves, and
Whinnp6 nv OVpUSeerS that narSn
| treatment is the rule everywhere, and
| that laborerS are not given food mt to
eat These things / found utterly with
out foundation.
| Everywhere [ went l observed that
| la borers We're we'll and even indulgent-
| Iy treated. AS to food, in the Por-
tuguese gardens 1 observed vegetables
growing profusely- Vegetables are 4;
principal article of food with the Itai-
| ians, and current report has it outside
! the Islands that they Will not grow
here. | see no reason why the gardens
of the Italians should not flourish here,
| as they do wherever Italians turn their
lattention to gardening. The water is
the only difficulty, and on every plan
ttation there is water. in abundance.
Even the Chinese settlers show what
lean be done here in the way of vege-
ia bles. The climate. / learned. from
conversations l have had with labor
ers. though al first oppressive, is rea-
lsonably healthful.
Il have made out my report for the
italian Government, and as evidence to
the disproof of the damaging reports
II have taken a great many photo
gra phic views to accompany the re-
reports Some of these views show the
igfowing gardens of vegetables, some of
the comfortable homes of the laborers
and others are snapshots of the labor
erS at work
"a
ment has in considering the matter,
first repeated requests have Eaen made
from planters here to send labor, and
again Italy though not overcrowded, is
mot all fertile, and the supply of agri-
lcultural labOrerS exceeds the demand
This has necessitated emigration, and
Ievery year great numbers are immi-
lsrsnts to the States. Most of them
lceme from agricultural districts, and
Iare able only to farm. They land in
New York unfit for any other kind of
work, and when they find the barren
New England shores have nothing to
offer them in the way of agricultural
work. they are forced to follow the
Hover trades, such as that of the boot
black, organ grinder, etc. In this way
they are exposed to all the vice of the
city and become much demoraliZed. If
thev return to Italy they return much
the worse morally for their experience,
and it is not good that it should be SO,
A great many criminals have been
made for Italy that way.
Since emigration, then, seems neces-
sarv. the Government is wise to set
Iahout managing it in the best way pos
lsible for her people. So when repeated
requests came from the associated
planters of the Hawaiian Islands for
Italian labor, / was sent out by the
Government to investigate what sort OF
future was in store for laboring peo-
iple who emigrated to the Islands. The
lpreJudiced reports that spread about
as to the cruel treatment of laborers
the scarcity of vegetable food, and the
luphealthful climate, made the Govern
ment cautious In the matter, and / was
Iappointed as an emissary to seek the
truth of the matter
DR.. Rossi is particularly pleased with
the big Olaa plantation of 5000 acres
which was started only two years ago
! IF, within a period of two years y
lsaid he, such wonderful results as are
shown upon that plantation, can be ac-
complished l see no reason whatever
for fear as to the future of the Islands
My report will certainly be most favor
iable."
He spoke with warm appreciation OF
the many courtesies extended towards
him by the managers of the different
, plantations, who gave him every facil-
tity for investigating the conditions OF
? lrsboi ana living. 1t grained MN &c
! see the comforting housing and kind
treatment accorded the laborers, and he
spoke with admiration of the chapels
Iscbool houses and hospital at Eva
Il am so glad" said he, ito find the
; preJudiced opinions current in Sar
Francisco mistaken. They are prob.
ably due to socialistic agitation
When the report prepared by Dr. Ros-
81 is given to the Italian Government
it is expected that an emigration O
Italian labor viii at once be arranged
and Dr. Rossi on account of his inves
itgations here, will probably be placed
: at the head of the movement. OF this
however, the Commissioner does no.
wish to speak His present duty i:
simply TO report his investigation.
DIR. Rossi has been for years in full
charge of Italian emigration to thu
United States for his Government, hav
iY-cr - &c.