The Hawaiian star. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu]) 1893-1912, 1909-02-17

SIedueIS ana OJnerS IN the district OF
Kula, Maui, presents forcibly the ques-
ton as to whether the government
should not in some cases provide water
works for domestic use and even for
irrigation, in country districts. There
is no reason in principle why this
should not be done for people living in
the country as well as for people living
in the city 1t is mainly question of
cost and revenue, coupled with the ne
cessity Of governmental action in order
to meet the needs. In a district which
is or is likely to be comparatively
thickly settled by people of moderate
means who are otherwise unable to OBJ
tain an adequate supply of water,
where the cost of obtaining water is
water works is likely to yield fair re-
turn upon the investment there is
every reason why the work should be
undertaken by the Government Sim
liar works may be required on a small
scale at Kapaa and at Kalakeo on the
Island of Kauai and perhaps at other
places.
Requirement of Land for Public Pur-
poses.-Hitherto, Notwithstanding the
many requirements of land for streets;
roads, buildings and other public pur-
poses, it has been customary not to
appropriate money for obtaining such
lands either by private purchase or by
condemnation suits; it has been tacit-
ly understood that the government
would obtain the necessary land by
exchange of other lands. This not only
has resulted in widespread dissatisfac-
ton in a number of instances, but has
often been embarrassing to the govern
ment. AS rule, private parties in
dealing with the government prefer ex-
changes to sales, and it is believed that
the Government might often do better
If it could sell the land proposed to be
exchanged and purchase the desired
land with the proceeds. | suggest that
unless a general appropriation is made
to meet such cases, authority be grant
ed to use for this purpose the proceeds
Of sales of lands which otherwise might
be exchanged. This would make pos
sible a procedure at the same time
more business-like and less open to Sc
rious inherent objections.
Land Under Public Works Depart
ment.-It is desirable that all public
lands should be under one department
namely, the land department, namely,
the land department, except in so far
as needed for use by other departments.
Sales and leases may be made now by
at least three departments and pa
tents may be issued by two. There is
also uncertainty in some cases as to
whether a particular piece of land is
under the public land or the public
works department and also as to whe-
Their the legislature has authority to
place the care of forest lands under
the board of agriculture and forestry
and as to the status of lands acquired
by exchange. A bill is pending in Con-
gress to remedy these matters. Mean
while several other Objectionable fea-
lures in the laws relating to lands
clearly under the department of pub
lie works may be remedied by legisla-
tive action.
IMMIGRATION
Towards the close of the last fiscal
period, the board of immigration OBJ
tanned 1854 Portuguese and Spaniards
from their native countries by means
of voluntary contributions A few who
were unable to comply with the immi-
grafton laws were returned. The en-
tire cost exceeded 100000. The new
immigration act forbids assistance
of immigration by voluntary contribu-
tions. The board has accordingly es-
tablished an agency, lately terminated,
in California which resulted in bring
ing in some hundreds of people, most
of whom had previously gone there
from here. The board has also es-
tablished an agency in New York City,
the probable results of which it is too
early yet to state.
1t is of the greatest consequence that
in some way adequate provision should
be made for further immigration on a
considerable scale. The Territory IS
underpopulated; more people are need
ed for the settlement of the public
lands and the development of the ma
tural resources, in order to secure IN
fuller measure the many benefits pos
sible only in denser and more complex
communities; there is great need of
additional laborers for the mainJe-
nance and growth of industrial pros
perity,-laborers VINO will be American
citizens and home owners. This is
quite as necessary for the laborer as
for the capitalist The development
of the Territory means greater benefits
and lighter burdens for all. Scarce
ly any subject calling for your consi-
Iteration is of more vital inheritance