The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1885-1921, 1885-09-24
CONTRACT LABOR.
Colonel 2. s. spalding interviewed
on This Subject.
ReSO1ut1Ons-Interes Points
on Plantation Manage
ment, Etc.

! on the Dist, have been the subject OF not
| a little comment by gentlemen inter
| ested in the labor question on these
| Islands. There is a pretty general ex-
| preston of regret that the Hilo Planters
| Society should have SO hastily placed
| itself in direct antagonism to the Gov
| eminent on the labor question. There
! is hardly a shadow of doubt that the
| resolutions would not have been adopted
if the society in question had taken the
pains to communicate with the Presi-
dent of the Board of immigration and
asked for an explanation of the points
which appeared to present difficulties to
the planters minds. This was the
course adopted by the Directors of the
Planters Labor and Supply Company,
with the result that they accepted the
action Of the Government in appointing
special inspectors of contract labor as
polite, and recommended planters gen.
orally to assist in carrying out in good
faith the policy embodied in the labor
circular.
Among the influential planters spoken
to on the subject was Colonel II. S.
Spalding, of Kealia and Kappa Planta-
tons, Kauai. AS one of the largest en-
ployers of contract labor in the King
dom, as well as most successful
planter, it was considered that an ex-
preston of individual opinion from him
would carry considerable weight, if he
To no into
poses of publication. This, after some
consideration, he consented to do, and
the following dialogue ensued:
"Of course, Colonel Spalding, you
have read the resolutions of the Hilo
Planters Society denOuncing the circu-
lar issued by the President of the Board
of immigration relating to the treatment
of Japanese and other contract laborers,
and intimating that special inspectors
would be appointed to inquire into, and
if possible settle difficulties with the
laborers ON plantations without resort to
law?''
eyes, have read the resolutions you
speak Of"
''What is your opinion regarding them ?
Do you think they are judicious or neces-
sary in view of all the facts?''
81 think they are very i'll advised.
They appear to be based upon hasty
conclusion and misconception of the
purposes and meaning of the Board of
Immigration as set out in the circular in
question"
SIS there any reason for refusing the
good offices of the special labor inspect
ors appointed by the Government in the
settlement of difficulties between master
and servant ?"
''None at all, especially if the in
spector is a person of intelligence and
tact"
'FWould the action or interference of
an inspector so appointed, prejudice the
rights of either party under the law?"
81 cannot see that it would; but it
might, and probably would save much
and litigation, and
that in my judgment is most desirable
end to attain if possible" -.
'In what way do you think misunder-
and litigation would be
avoided by the action of the special labor
inspectors pr
'In this way. So long as the parties
have only recourse to law both will en-
deavor to make the best appearance be-
fore the Judge, and frequently hard
swearing is the result. The law makes
no allowance for much that might be
styled extenuating circumstances, while
an arbitrator or inspector would see the
motive in each case and advise accord
ngly When men refuse to be guided
by the advice of an inspector they are
still liable to the law, as was shown re-
Gently at Koloa, as published by the
/ think it is decided adj
vantage to have discreet person to refer
disputes to when necessary rather than
refer them to the Courts"
fHave you had any difficulty with
your Japanese laborers p"
"Only trifing ones; but such as might
nave grown into more serious troubles if
"Can you give an instance?"
eyes. One of our white Iunas in
harge of a gang of Japanese had occa-
ion to take hold of Japanese woman
~ the arm to show her where he
wanted her to work in the rows. Her
resented the action, though l
IN convinced nothing wrong was in
ended, and no more force was used than
vas necessary to direct her. The man
nd wife and several others left their
york and went to their houses Instead
. arresting them for refusing duty we
explained to the parties through an in-S I
erpreter the act of the luna and the con-
equences under the law, if they refused
D work. They all returned to their La
or without complaint, and have heard
no trouble since, although the same
yhite man is still luna of the gang"
do you have Japanese Interpreters ON
ne plantations