The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1885-1921, 1905-06-29

kJber Although Acting Governor Atk
official gave stirring address crammt
manner in which the local body mig
tenn. Incidentally, too, Mr.. Sargent 8
powerful pleas ever uttere here for {
through the medium of diversified in
A. L. c. Atkinson the Acting Gov
ernor. in his capacity of Secretary o:
Hawaii and as such ex officio president
of the Board of Immigration created
by the Legislature of 1905 had already
received Commissioner Sargent when
z. D. Tenney, Jos. P. Cooke, J. H.
Craig and John J. Garden, members of
the board, entered a few minutes after
four o'clock
MR.. ATKINSON'S INTRODUCTION.
President Atkinson stated that he
had called the meeting to tell Mr.. Sar-
gent under what law they were or
garized. and as they would work un-
der the Federal Bureau of immigration,
to inform him of their intention to car
ry out ideas held in this country fer
long time.
Hawaii" Mr.. Atkinson proceeded.
This is not a new country. We have
spent a great many thousands of dol
lars in trying to get people into the
country. 1t is hoped that We may
benefit by past experience.
1.-The intent of the Legislature in
providing for this board is good, but,
as only a small appropriation has been
made. 1 take it we are entitled to go
round and raise money for assisting i'm
migration. No private corporation or
individual can assist immigration. but
i believe public body can. We wish,
Mr.. Sargent, to get your assistance
Our plantations, which have been de-
pending on coolie labor, have got down
to the idea that we have to get citi-
zen labor as a backbone to this coun-
try"
MIR. SARGENT'S ADDRESS.
Mr.. Sargent spoke in substance as
follows: Governor Atkinson and Gen
tIemen commissioners: 1 wish to ex-
press my appreciation of the opportun-
ity of appearing before you, because
doubt if there is anyone in the employ
of the Government who takes a deeper
interest in the matter of immigration
than myself.
when l was here two years ago 1
was impressed with the belief that here !
was a beautiful country for people to
live in. Evidence of the interest the
Bureau of immigration has since TAX
ex in these islands is seen in the fact
that we have erected a station which
is thoroughly equipped for receiving
aliens at this port. This has been done
at a cost of about 100000. and on the
fourth of July we shall begin to do
business in the new station, which is
a credit to the country and to this port. !
''I told some of you two years ago
that I had no doubt you could get a
good class Of immigration if you went
the right way about it. 1 differed with
some of you about having all Asiatics, /
as I believed that there was an open
ing here for thrifty class of Europe
ans. I called attention at that time
no the provisions of Section 4 which
had been overlooked, and 1 suggested
ITO gentlemen that I should not any
SNore overlook it,"
ASSISTED IMMIGRATION.
Mr.. Sargent here read from the I'm |
migration Act the section just mention
ed which forbids assisted immigration
and advertising for immigrants with
inducements of any kind. Then he read
Section 6. which provides that such
prohibition shall not be applicable to
states and territories. ''I suggested at
that time" the Commissioner observed,
that the Territory could advertise on
the mainland or in any foreign coun-
try for people to come here as settlers
and laborers.
Your Legislature has seen fit to pro-
vide for an immigration Commission
This Commission can lay before the
people of any country the opportunities
for employment or settlement In this
Territory That is within the meaning
OF the law.
'I believe that if this Commission
should see fit to exert its influence,
either on the mainland or in Europe,
there would be found aliens who could I
be induced to come here and become
good citizens of this Territory and of d;
the Nation.
OPPORTUNITIES HERE.
'T saw evidence. especially on Maui,
of what can be done if you can get
the right kind of people to go up there
and take up land along that mountain
slope, and find market for their prod