Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1901-04-27
Many Efforts to Obtain Suitable
Workmen.
AGRICULTURAL DEPARTMENT REPORT
Resources and ingenuity Of the
Planters Taxed.
INTRODUCTION OF COOLIES


agricultural resources and capabilities 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 ingenuity Of the
plt nters Of the islands have been taxed
in devising the best means of procuring
labcrers suitable for their work. Special
commissioners have been dispatched to dis
tant parts of the globe for the purpose of
obts lining the desired immigration. Earn
est efforts have been made in the way of
carefully prepared reports and extensive
correspondence. 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 1852
up to the present time there has been no
cessation in the arduous efforts to obtain
an adequate supply of labor for the planta-
tions. The Royal Hawaiian Agricultural
Society. established in 1850. issued a cir
cular stating that the introduction Of
coolie labor from China to supply the
places of the rapidly decreasing native
population was a subject Of great import
ance. In 1859 the first Introduction of
CtOiieS was Indue ana the experiment was
satisfactory They proved able and willing
laborers and quieted for while all appre-
henson of future trouble in obtaining la
Dor. Other cargoes were soon sent for and
received.
But while the coolies were and are good
workers it was soon discovered that labor
ers imported for plantations could not be
relied upon as permanent settlers and
homeseekers, and were, therefore, from a
state standpoint, very undesirable immi-
grants. The planters wanted laborers for
profit; the king desired permanent settlers
for the benefit of the country. To bring in
immigrants required funds which the for
mer alone could supply. but they were I'M
willing to burden themselves with the
trouble and expense Of families. Hence
the plans of the king failed In 1859 q few
South Sea islanders were landed on Kauai
to work on plantation under contract
They resembled Hawaiians, were educated,
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 importation Of white men as la
borers was inadmissibe: ditto with ne
groes. The cooie was an undesirable citi-
zen and as a labOrer of no great value.
Private planters would import only men,
rejecting women and children. Laborers
could not be obtained from Pacific islands;
therefore resort must again be had to
China.
Bureau of Immigration.
"These abuses gave birth to the coolie
laws OF the United States, and simultane-
ously in Hawaii bureau of immigration
was established, taking the business Of i'm
porting laborers from the hands Of the
planters and placing 1t under the charge
Of the kingdom. The Hawaiians claim that
such iniquity above mentioned ever
n "a fhn off, rfo Of oil ,la,, l.,
their work of importing laborers. The
'coClie system as known elsewhere never
existed on the islands; the law between
employer and employe known as the mas
ter and servant law was mild, equitable
and compulsory for the specific fulfilment
of contracts.
Efforts were made to secure Immigrants
from India, Japan and Malaysia and the
Dutch and English East midas. All
proved abortive. after much discussion
diplomacy, and a large expenditure of time
and money, except with Japan.
"A shiplOad of Japanese reached the
islands in 1869.
Cooperation Tried.
"a new and untried system of cooperative
labor was introduced on small scale in
1870. Thirty white men from the states
were carried over to labor on the planta-
tons to receive as compensation one-half
of the crop made. On account of the
draught, inexperience, etc, the co-opera-
tive experiment was far from being de-
cided success.
again attention was directed to the
Azores and the possibility Of obtaining de-
Sirable immigrants therefrom Italy was
also considered as source Of supply Of
future laborers. But nothing tangible was
accomplished. In July, 1876, the treaty of
reciprocity between the Hawaiian kingdom
and the United States was ratified. 1t
created great joy and much inspiration in
every planter in the islands. Extensive i'm
provements were undertaken at once and
energetic efforts made to secure more lab
OrerS.
In 1873 the first batch Of Portuguese
from Madeira, secured after patient efforts,
was landed in Honolulu. followed soon after
by a cargo of South Sea Islanders, all Of
whom proved satisfactory to the planters.
In 1881 two vessels filled with Norwegians
arrived. But few of them were agricul-
turiStS and therefore were soon dissatisfied
with life on plantations.
THE propriety of introducing negroes
from the southern states was discussed by
the board, with the result of decided OPP
position to the scheme. More cargoes Of
South Sea Islanders were introduced, fol-
lowed soon after by several vessel loads
of Germans.
Since 1885 up to the time Of annexation
the Introduction of Chinese, Japanese and
Portuguese has been made to meet the
wants of the islands The Japanese and
Portuguese have been brought in mainly
on contract, and having completed the time
either renewed service or been returned to
their homes. The Chinese have come on
their own accord
Reception to Boy In Blue.
The members of class II Che Cherubs) of