The Hawaiian gazette. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu, Hawaii]) 1865-1918, 1885-09-02
Japanese Labor Troubles.

| Of the GAZETTE. A MARQUES.
japanese Labor Troubles.
The following condensation from the semi-ofli.
cial report in the Government paper Is presented
| 30 our readers:
A detail of japanese Iaborers went to Pdia plan.
tation early in March. Soon after complaints be
| to reach the Immigration Department of dissatis
faction with their general treatment. Specific
grievances were also alleged. 1t was hoped, how
ever that better understanding would be reached,
and to that end the President oil the Board oil lu-
migration, commissioned Mr.. W. X. Austin,
| veIl-knoyn lawyer, now in Boston, 10 &c to Paia
and inquire into the alleged grievances and endea
vor 10 bring about better understanding between
the manager and the japanese. Mr.. Nakamura,
the Japanese Consul, and Mr.. Nakayama, now
chef inspector of Japanese contract labor accom-
panied Mr.. Austin upon the occasion of his first
visit. He took voluminOus testimony, which Is ON
file. II was expected, as a result of his interyen
ton and advice, that everything would work
smoothly. Not so, however The friction increased,
and soon after eliminated in what may be termed
a riot. 1t appears that the manager put them at
work which they did not understand: this was the
occasion of the riot in question.
A japanese laborer was set to yoke team of
oxen, and being afraid of the horns of the animals
he shrank back to save himself. kauaka driver
thereupon seized him and dragged him forward.
The Jap resented this, whereupon the driver hit
him on the head with yoke, cutting him severely.
His fellow cOuntrymen then made common cause
with their wounded companion, and, retaining
around, but did not offer any violence. They re-
fused to return TO work, however. Mr.. Chilling
worth, Deputy Sheriff, was then sent for. and he
asked them to 20 TO his office and state theiE
plant, telling them, however, that they could not
enter armed with any weapon. According they
left their knives, etc, outside. For refusing to
work they were each fined 50.
A strong complaint was made to tue Japanese
Consul who in turn presented it to the President
Of the Board of Immigration. Mr.. w. Il. Austin
was sent up second time TO investigate and
that good understanding had been established
between the manager and the japanese laborers
on PaiR plantation.
Just about the time of the arrival of the Yama-
shire MGrH information was received that three
japanese laborers were sick on Paia plantation,
and that certificate had been given by DR..
Charles g. Bull, Government physician, that
they we're not sick and we're fit for work. 1t was
further stated that they were taken before the
local magistrate who gave them to understand
that they would have to work without further
ado, and fined them IS each. They positively re-
fused to work, however, whereupon they were-
committed to prison at Wailuku and sent there in.
charge Of two native policemen. They were
eight hours and n half walking the distance,
which ia short thirteen miles, and arrived in state
of high fever, the pulse of one of them being 100.
On their arrival tho Government physician pro-
nounced them very sick, and sent them into the
hospital, where of them died. the two survivors
coming TO the city. They we're sent to the Queens
Hospital, where they still remain, one suffering
Mr.. Jonathan Austin, well-known lawyer and
President of the Planters Labor and Supply
Company, was commissioned to proceed to Paia
and make full investigation into all matters of
complaint by the Japanese laborers, with discre
tionary power to remedy any pressing abuse on
the spot.
Mr.. Jonathan Austin teok an interpreter with
him. He reported to the President of the Board
of Immigration on July 4th, having left Honolulu
for Pais on the 50th of June. Touching the three
men in question he reports that the manager of
the plantation, in addition to Dr. Bulls certi-
ficate that they were fit to work, instructed the
white man who acted as sick nurse and admins
tered the medicine to carefully observe these
men. After several days he confirmed the opinion
of the physician, whereupon the manager or
dered them to go to work. Mr.. Walsh also stated
TO Mr.. Austin that he told them through an inter
prefer, that il they made trial OF work and were
really unable to do so, he would not insist further
until they were we'll, but that the physician told
him that they were only pretending 10 be sick
They refused TO make the trial, and were then
taken to Makawao, where, on the testimony of
DR.. Bull, and proof of refusal to work, they were
each fined s.. They were kept at Maliawao until
June 18th, and then sent in charge of two native
policemen to Wailuku, on foot, distance of about
thirteen miles. Upon arrival there they seemed TO
be SICK and the Sheriff caused them to be ex-
amined by DIR, Sutliff, Government physician of
the Waikiki district, who pronounced them Sc
riously ill and in need of care and medical treat
ment
They were sent to Waikiki Hospital, where Mr.
Jonathan Austin saw them, in company with Dr.
Sutlif. They were then quite sick and unable TO
work. They all complained that on the way from
Makawao to Waikiki they were struck by the
policemen with whips and kicked. The interpre-
ter seemed TO think that if force had not been used
TO make them go they would have died on the
road. They said that the whipping and kicking
not sufficient to mark them. The policemen
denied committing these assaults.
Pursuing the investigation, Mr.. iona. Austin
further reports that the plantation books and the
reports of the manager and physicians show that
there had been great deal of sickness among the
Japanese at Paia; and from the statement of the
book-keeper and the oyerseer at Hamakuapoko,
the same had been the case at that plantation.
The japanese at both plantations seemed to be
discouraged and depressed. Mr.. Austin talked
with many of them at Paia. They said that their
treatment by the manager and lunas had improy-
ed since thu visit of the Japanese Consul, but in
every instance there was an expression of want of
confidence in their medical attendance Com
plants were also made of the working hours. The
manager, however, denied that they were kept
more than ten hours, except in the mill and at
watering, where they were willing to work more.
They also complained of their quarters, too many
in room, etc. The manager met this by the
statement that he had offered them increased ac-
but they preferred crowding. Other
complaints were made, and investigated by Mr..
Austin.
Summing up his report, Mr.. iona. Austin writes:
There seems to have been general feeling that
it was of no use to appeal TO the manager but the
principal matter of dissatisfaction IL the medical
and if there were no complaint upon
that score, the rest would be such comparatively
TRIVIAL matters as are constantly arising where
large numbers of men are employed in manual
labor. II visited Waikiki plantation and found
that an entirely different state of things exists
there. The Japanese there very healthy, and
the percentage of absentees is very small. They
are happy and cheerful, and the manager and
oyerseer report them faithful, efficient and
willing and nearly all continually on dirty. At the
two first named plantations great numbers are |
Qhlnmf dr1fv and a boil fb.,,
are said to be unfaithful, inefficient and unwill-
ing"
The Special japanese Commissioner, Mr.. Inouye |
to whom all these facts and complaints had been |
communicated, resolved that he would make per- |
sonal Investigation of the general condition of |
japanese laborers in this country and with this in
view he took the Tdmashiro Mara around SO that |
he might be perfectly free and untrammelIed |
The general result was satisfactory, not so in the
case of the two plantations named.
The President of the Board of Immigration, IN |
closed copies Of memorials received from the Japs
to Mr. Baldwin, and a short correspondence |
ensued. This gentleman stated that Mr.. Walsh
had promised the Japanese 81 a month extra
when they do well, also some other privileges
DC adds: Moreover, they must be satisfied by
tins time that they will be treated with great len
sncy" He also requested that Paia laborers be
asked whether they wished TO be removed before
taking such step. To this the President of the |
Board OF immigration replied that the second re-
quest for removal was made after the alleged i'm
proyements had taken place, and that further in
Jury could dono good Mr.. Baldwin wrote on the
9TH OF August denying the allegation in the petit
lon to the effect that the men on the Hamakuapoko
plantation had been subjected to never-ceasing
ziokings, etc. 10 the best of his belief this was
otaly untrue. There had not been any harshness
or several months. Mr.. Austin further explained
hat one of the men signing the petition belonged
different tribe from the majority and doubtless
wanted to get among his friends. About eleven
rould follow him; but there were thirty -four who
ould have nothing to do with him
This ended the correspondence, and the Presi-
lent of the Board of the Immigration ordered the
emoTal of the Japanese laborers from The Paia
,lantation, which was done. On the 18th, thirty
II japanese laborers, five women and three chill
Iren, together with their effects, were brought
rom Maui on the steamer LehHd, and taken in
harge by the Secretary Of the Board of Immigra-
ion, Mr.. Attwater, who had them transferred to
he Immigration Depot at Eakaako.-
Silk Culture.
In answer to the numerous inquiries made
eative to the profits amp prospects reon rdino tbe