138 BULLETIN OF THE BUREAU OF FISHERIES. 



against futiire want. Under the present system the native expects that his future will be provided for, 

 and has, therefore, no incentive to deny himself and no self-reliance. While no one would be willing 

 to make the existence of these people a matter of doubt, on the other hand, it is thought that it can be 

 so managed that the native would have to depend more upon himself through the removal of certain of 

 the paternalistic offices performed in his behalf by the Government. 



As the situation is at present, the native merely has to work and to draw his weekly rations. He 

 might complain in order to get more, but beyond that he has no voice in the disposition of his earnings. 

 All the managing of his resources is done in his behalf by the agent in charge, under departmental 

 instructions, and the only open line of endeavor is to hoodwink the agent into giving him more than his 

 share. This unnatural situation should be remedied by allowing the natives more voice in the man- 

 agement of their domestic financial arrangements. It is believed, contrary to general' opinion, that 

 nearly all the native men are capable of handling their earnings in a thrifty and judicious manner, 

 once they understand that it is necessary for them to do so or starve. Under this hypothesis it would be 

 better forthe native to receive his earnings, or at least a large portion of them, in cash at the close of each 

 season, with the understanding that this sum must suffice to support him and family for a j'ear ; or monthly 

 amounts could be given them with the same understanding. 



* * * Should a native be grossly improvident, a stated sum from his earnings should be set apart 

 for use of his children. The Government should arrange to deposit any savings the native might make, 

 or to expend them for such articles as the native may request to be ordered. At present this latter 

 privilege is denied. 



In short, the strongly paternalistic attitude of the Government, together with the communal sys- 

 tem of living, has robbed these people of all chance of self-improvement by destroying the incentive. 

 Any effort along the lines indicated or others to increase this self-reliance will be salutary. It is con- 

 ceived that a certain small percentage of receipts from the sale of skins taken by these people, set apart 

 for them, either for their support or as a fund for the improvement of local conditions, or as a sheer bonus 

 to increase efficiency and faithful cooperation, would be a paying investment. 



CASH PAYMENTS FOR SUNDRY LABOR. 



What has been said in the foregoing concerning natives' earnings relates wholly to the fund earned 

 by the community in general, mainly from the taking of skins. Such work as the natives perform as 

 laborers or skilled workmen in maintaining the station buildings, exclusive of their own residences, 

 is paid in cash monthly. These sums, although small, are welcome as representing the only cash the 

 natives receive, and because this desultory labor is the only means through which the native may get 

 individual results from independent action. Cash thus obtained almost invariably is used to augment 

 the regular allowance of supplies, and the work through which it is obtained is eagerly sought. Not to 

 pay them individually for such work, which is not at all for their benefit, would be to destroy the feature 

 which removes their system of existence from mere peonage. * * * 



In the above painstaking account of the manner of caring for the natives several 

 points of vital importance are brought out, some of which may be briefly discussed, 

 (i) The native wishes to be paid in cash for his work even though he may be impelled, 

 either from incHnation or necessity, to spend that cash almost at once. This tendency 

 may be observed among native races anywhere as soon as money comes into use as a 

 medium of exchange and is, of course, merely an indication that the native mind has 

 grasped the fundamental idea underlying its use. He has labored and having obtained 

 his reward, he would exchange it for something he needs or wishes. (2) Some of 

 the people desire to acctimulate their savings, showing that they possess a measure of 

 thrift. (3) Some wish to exchange the results of their labor for articles other 

 than mere necessities such as food and clothing, but that this is rendered impossible or 

 difficult because the articles are not available on the island, and the delay and other 

 difficulties of sending outside for the desired commodity are discouraging. (4) The 

 opportunities for profiting from the possession of special talents or abilities are too limited, 



