Saturday press. [volume] (Honolulu, H.I.) 1880-1885, 1882-03-25
ORGANIZATION OF THE PLANTERS
ASSOCIATION.

The series Of meetings that have been held
in this city the past week, by planters and
others directly interested in sugar production,
ought, and we trust will, in the results that
will eventually be accomplished, mark the
advent OF = new and progressive era in the
history of the country. When wo consider
that the men who have taken part in these
deliberations represent by far the largest por-
ton Of the capital and enterprise of these
Islands that they are for the most part per-
sons of large practical experience in the
management and cultivation of plantations and
the manufacture OF our chief article of export
that they are as body intelligent and edu-
Gated as well as practical, and know, from the
logic of familiar facts, what the country
requires in order to the full development of
Its resources we may justly assume that the
great importance of this Convention, in view
of the material interests of the whole nation.
can hardly be estimated. And we may
add, the organization has been judicious and
thorough, and the spirit manifested gives
promise of valuable results.
The time is opportune. Tho bicunial ses-
sions of the Legislative Assembly will soon
commence and the conclusions arrived at
and suggestions made by such body OF men
as compose the Planters Association, should,
in all embodied form, if rightly and discreety
used, have weighty influence in securing the
fair and just legislation that is needed. The
influence which might have been e1erted at
the polls to secure fair representation in the
membership of the Assembly, may now, in
another and perhaps as effective way secure
the desired ends-tho enactment of Just and
needed laws and the defeat of extravagant or
mischievous measures. In this vicw We
regard the duties of the Standing Committee
on Legislation as Of moment.
| But the matter of most engrossins weight
| before the association is undoubtedly tho
question as to how, and from whence, to obtain
with the least delay, the needed supply of
suitable labor. For it requires no demonstra-
tion to prove, that the possession of a rich
soil, favorable climate and unbounded funds,
will avail the planter nothing without the
hands to do the work. The solution of this
urgent question of labor, was naturally the
first consideration of the association and was
| placed in the hands of strong working COM
mittee. The sound principle was laid down
in the able address of Judge Hartwell at the
opening of the meetings, that this matter of
getting laborers will never be attended to
efectually, until the planters attend to it
themselves" Realizing this fact they have,
in order to further the object desired, organ
! iznl and tod plnntaru1 U,hn nd
Supply Company to be carried on in conuec-
tion with the association. BY intelligent, con-
certed action they are now in fair way of do
ing this, without let or hindrance, beyond that
proper degree of government supervision
which, while reasonably regulating, will fac-
litate the business.
Another Of the Standing Committees we
will particularize, as of special Importance in
a general and broadly national sense-that ON
Reciprocity. While We have mover for sin
! gle moment entertained the belief that the
! United States would violate the national faith
by abrogatns the Treaty and breaking a
solemn compact whose term of continuance
was liked in 30 many words,yct, looking
! beyond the year 1854, there il as much reason
] ioI Doih SlucS " ucSlfc tuc luueunlte COnklnu-
ance OF the Treaty AS there was for its original
negotiation. Nay, the reasons in its favor
have accumulated and grown stronger by
the operation OF the Treaty itself All that is
needed 10 secure the continuance the
necessity is imperative-is that u fair and
exhaustive statement Of tho simple aud honest
truth in regard to ourselves shall be placed,
not only before the world but in such parti
cular quarters that shall do the most good.
To accomplish this properly and judiciously,
will require great deal of careful and thor
ough work, in compiling, verifying aud sub
uniting facts and figures.
The work reegatcd TO the other Commits
tees, ON Cultivation, Machinery, Transports
tiou, aud Manufacture OF Sugar, requires tho
elucidalion of details and tho massing Of
information on subjects connected particularly
with the practical operations on the plsnta-
tion, and therefore of engrossing Importance
10 the planter, and not matters to be fully
appreciated by the general public
The whole country looks with expectant
hope, that the outcome Of this gathering Of
representatives of the wealth, the enterprise
and the intelligence of tho nation, will be
some wel-consdered steps in the direction Of
progress aud prosperity for Hawaii nei.