The Hawaiian gazette., 1906-02-16
BALL TALKS
ABOUT LABOR

fronting the sugar planters ana ciu-
zens OF the Hawaiian Islands. and
upon It's satisfactory solution will de-
pend all future values therein.
That Chinese coolies are the best and
most dependable that can be utilized
for cane culture. there Is no doubt;
but, inasmuch as the powers that be
have issued the fiat that precludes
the further discussion OF the imme-
diate or even remote prospect OF relief
from that quarter. such source OF la
Dor supply should be summariiy dis
missed for good. 'Tis true that the is
lands are fairly well supplied with
Japanese and Korean coolies, but they
are migratory, ant their stay can only
be depended on until they can better
their financial condition by transfer
! ring to the mainland where wages are
/ higher.
1t is the history of all coolle emil
i grants to this country, oft repeated.
that they come to receive and no to
4 give: that they come to fill their pock-
cts and then betalse themselves hence:
that their function is to fasten them
4 selves as parasites to the American
people and sap their life blood; and 1t
makes no difference whether the coolie
be Japanese, Korean or Italian, the
= same inevitable result will follow.
Probably no American community Is
more converstant upon the shortcomings
= of coolie labor and of it's demoralizing
effects than Hawaii, yet there seems
to be a yearning to still follow in the
path that viii eventually lead to the
utter and complete undoing of its So
cial and financial fabric.
/ have noted with surprise the ef
forts to be made to introduce italian
coolies into the islands. This conclu-
sion was evidently arrived at from
sheer desperation. Be 1t known that
no greater calamity could befall the is
lands than to introduce therein Itali-
IAN coolies even though from northern
Italy. They are unwelcome guests, OF
whom the most lenient community
soon tires. They are ignorant, untidy,
unkempt, filthy and loathsome 2They
are barnacles that will soon befou any
community. They are quick-tempered.
irascible quarrelsome and dangerous.
To them, when wrought up, life or
property has no value. They are SUI
perstitious, clannish. erratlc and spon-
taneous. yea, a suitable firebrand. They
come not to assimilate or imbibe or
take on American ways and customs,
neither do they care even to learn the
English language. Their mission is to
hoard up their earnings and return to
italy with their savings. They live on
he barest necessaries of life, most of
which comes from Italy They do not
oatronize neither do they spend their
EARNINGS among Americans. Truly may
t be said of the Italian coolie that it
more blessed with him to receive
han to give,
Now in regard to the plan on foot to
introduce Portuguese coolies from the
Azores Islands and thereabouts at the
Stimated cost to the planters of about
80 per head. / have naught to say
gainst this class of laborers so far
s their efficiency is concerned, but an
important question arises in connec-
ion with their Introduction. l have no
oubt that thousands may be induced
o locate in the islands when it be-
ONES known that they will be trans
erred thither free of cost to them. The
main question is, can they be depend
d on to remain beyond a certain limit
d time? 'Tis true the wages offered
nd the inducements promised will
ook good to them prior to their de-
arturo, but how long will they re-
lain satisfied at the guaranteed
ages? BE 1t remembered that the
ortuguese people are made of good
laterial-they are ambitious and ever
n the alert to better their condition.
nee landed in the islands. they will
BON become wise. What then? They
Ill soon learn that they can vastly
etter their condition be going to the
ainland. Could you blame them for
Reking to get the most for their time
nd for going where they could more
IAN double their earning capacity?
nd herein lies the weak point regard
& the scheme to introduce Portuguese
,olies You can bring them but you
mt keep them. You can take horse
water but you can't make him drink.
will resolve itself into an endless
balm that will eventuate in the bet
rment of the Portuguese coolies, but
the financial ruin of the planters.
brtuguese coolies though they be
hen first landed, they will, ere many
VS.. bloom into full-fedged ambitious
ople yearning for and demanding all
rights to which an American citi-
is entitled, including high wages
id the right to strike therefor. True
ey may have contracted to work so
lg at so much wages. but you can't
force the terms of the contract. The
lges be paid, your Portuguese coolies
ll leave for California or elsewhere
soon as they can save enough to de-
~ expense of trip.
instead of spending their earnings in
islands. they will soon after their
'ival commence to hoard up for their
rly migration to the land of higher
ges. In this respect Portuguese
plies may be placed in the same cate
y with Chinese, Japanese Korean
italian coolies
90 long have the Hawaiian Islands
fered from the never-cea sing losses
urred by it's laboring elements send
their earnings TO the Orient and
swhere. Each year several millions
dollars are sent therefrom by her
orers which by right should remain
add to,the upbuilding and enrich
of the country. 1t Is incumbent
ln Hawaii to see her errors and
M her ways. Let there be brought |
he islands n laboring element that |
le tractahle and dependable. win |
.,1 aupplpn. .tsIth Apnarfoop tra dag- /