The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1856-1888, 1869-10-16
THE PACIFIC
Commercial Advertiser.
SATURDAY. OCTOBER l6.
Planters Meeting.
Concluded from the nrst page.

Conclcdeu ron N uIst page.
MONDAY, October IL.
The meeting convened pursuant to adjournment,
nj 10, A. NJ.
The Chairman made a few Introductory remarks,
and invited all present to take a part in the discussion
Of the questions brought before the meeting.
The Secretary read a letter which had been re-
ceived from Mr.. Godfrey Rhodes, one Of the pioneers
in the introduction of coolies into these islands He
spoke Of the pressing necessity which exists for q
fresh supply Of labor for our plantations, and after
reviewing ut length the qualities and availability Of
different nationalities as immigrants, stated it as his
opinion that an abundance Of cheap labor, of a better
quality than found elsewhere, could be procured from
the superintendent population Of the British islands.
But to provide for present necessities, which were
urgent, We must look to China
The seventh resolution, approving of the assign
ment Of labor contracts. was then taken up.
Mr.. C. c. Bennett, editor Of Benneti's Oirn, then
read n lengthy address to the meeting, in which he
argued forcibly against the further bringing here Of
Chinese coolies to demoralize the Hawaiian people.
Ills remarks will be printed in full In the next num-
Der Of his own journal)
C. c. Hurts read a copy Of the contract made be-
tween the Board Of Immigration and the Manahiki
people. They were entirely under the control and
guardianship Of the Board, by whom alone the con-
tracts could be assigned or cancelled, according to
circumstances
W. c. Jones moved that the resolutions be referred
to a select committee to consider on and report to the
meeting at l O'Clock.
J. Bartlett seconded the motion. Had heard the
expression of n good deal Of opinion outside on the
objects of these meetings. The impression appeared
to be pretty general that it was intended to mould the
meeting by the resolutions, and to obtain, as it were,
an endorsement of the principles and views enunciated
in them. and let it go forth as the public opinion.
Was this a fair and honest attempt to get an express
sion of public opinion, and was there any guarantee
offered that the recommendations of the meeting
would be carried out. He repeated the expressions
Of the adherence with which he viewed the assign
ment of contract system. 1t was immoral and unsafe.
S. G. HTader-was himself the originator of the
for calling these meetings, and wrote the
If it was thought best to amend them,
here was the time and place, but did not think it was
necessary to take up time by referring to n committee.
s. ". Castle denied that there was any attempt or
desire to pack, to mould, or to dictate the expression
of public opinion in this matter.
C.. G. Hurts agreed with q good deal that had
been said by Mr.. Bartlett, but neither himself nor
his colleague, the Minister of the Interior, could
pledge the Government to carrying out the recon-
mendations of this meeting, whatever they might be.
But he would say, however, that the action of this
meeting would undoubtedly have q great influence
in guiding the Government in any measures to be
taken On the labor question.
s.. ~: Casne-Mauy appeared to suppose that this
was only a meeting of the planters. but it was claimed
to be intended as q citizens meeting. All were in
vited and particularly requested to give their views
freely. and he was glad to hear to-day the opponents
Of the coolie system speaking their minds.
e.. L. Hdrris-Government, in all measures OF
public Importance, desired the expression of public
opinion.
DIR. Judd-It was not reasonable TO ask Govern
ment to stand pledged to any line of action in this
but he did not doubt they would be iniu.
enced by the recommendations of this meeting.
Col. Jones' motion to commit was lost.
On motion Of A. F. Judd, it was voted to recon-
slider the sixth resolution
II. f. Judd-Expected to live and die here. and
desired that his record should stand fair in the future.
Repeated his utter opposition to the principle Of as
signable contracts. 1t is suggested that Chinese i'm
migrants be brought here free,-that is, their pas
,ages psid-and here make their own contracts. The
ut the outset would be large. but the money
would all be repaid by the immigrants
X. F. Bieksrton (of Koolau), deprecated Mr..
Judd's plan. 1t would fill the country with Chinese
Migrants
C. n. Judd-Did not believe the coolies were as
signed without their own consent.
w. Goodaie moved that the sixth resolution be
adopted as the sense of the meeting.
s. G.. Wilder-Had confidence in the Board doing
What is right and just in the matter of assigning con-
tracts. !
DIR. Jndd-The principles advocated by the oppo-
nents Of the resolution were sound in the abstract.
BE himself was an anti-slavery man, dyed in the
WOOL. But our necessities for labor are pressing, and
- -oo mo- ,o.,,t,oa % <1a lahora~ - t1a a.,,r,
nent system. /
Sanford b. Dole, Esq MI. Chairman Gentle
nen-This question of contract assignments is closely
with the main question of this meeting, the
contract system and I hope I may be pardoned i'll
refer to and discuss the latter largely in these re-
I agree with you who support this system
n J. insisting OH the assignment principle as necessary
% the contract system you are right. The system
s not safe or practical without that principle and
is the reason why We oppose it, because it de-
,ends for its support upon principles that are wrong.
l hesitate to speak again on this subject, for I feel
we do not stand on common ground. I oppose A
he system from principle, because l think it is
wrong you professedly support it as a matter of !
necessity and individual interest, and thus looking II
rom different stand points we are apt to misunder- I
tand each other. l cannot help feeling that the
thief end of this meeting, its heart and soul, is PLAN
alton profits and the prosperity Of the country, the
of society, the future of the Hawaiian race
come in secondarily if at all, on the part of the
Importers of this system. Is not this sol The
burden of your cry is labor we must haze labor,
md the plan which promises that cheap, and imme-
late, you favor without asking many questions
I hope I may not be misunderstood standing where
do. My sympathies are naturally with the plant
RS my friends are among them and l go with them
up to that point from which their action deviates from
he line of the principle Of the e greatest good of the
greatest number 3" and because I believe that the
of their action here is against that princi-
pie, 1 cannot support them ; I must protest.
Your worthy Chairman in opening the Saturdays
Meeting, remarked that 81 there is no contest between
capital and labor" Further investigation would
shown him that, tins being SO, q blow against
wages is a violation of this principle. And q system
# supply supported by Objectionable laws is . direct
Interference with the natural laws Of supply and
demand which would regulate wages, as they do all
,ther prices, at that rate which would be the most
practical and profitable to both employer and laborer.