The Daily bulletin. [volume] (Honolulu [Hawaii]) 1882-1895, 1885-08-14

the new arrangements unUll tnen.
NIR. HENRY WATERHousE had
read the document casually, and
thought it very good. There ought
not to be any clashing between en-
ployers and the Government upon
the matter. The scheme would
knock the idea of slavery right out.
Nix. +. =. ADAMS had remarked
to our representative the previous
day that he believed the announce
ment of His Excellency was a good
move. Further consideration left
him of the same mind. He thought
it would have n very beneficial
effect. The Government, he said,
should have full credit for a good
thing.
Nix. JoNA. AUSTIN, President of
the Planters Company, naturally,
in view of the action of the trustees
yesterday, preferred to reserve his
opinions.
Mn. j. b. ATHERToN, a trustee of
the Planters Company, believed the
new departure would be benefit,
provided final appeal is not to be to
Japan. That in reality involved the
independence of this kingdom. If
final arbitrament of plantation
troubles vested in Japan, then the
question would be whether they
needed japanese labor so much that
they must take it with the restric-
tons prescribed by the japanese
Government. The prevention of
petty complaints being reported in
detail to the japanese Government,
if that object should be attained by
the Commissions, would be benefit.
But that result, as well as the other
declared object of avoiding litiga-
ton here, would depend entirely
upon the kind of men to be placed
upon the Commissions.
AN HON. NOBLE regarded the
measure as an unjust one to the
planters, as it added onerous terms
to the contracts under which the
laborers were employed. Besides,
it was an infringement upon the
prerogatives of the courts of this
kingdom, to admit the arbitrament
of foreign agents between masters
and servants. 1t would be a very
bad state of affairs to have laborers
| imbued with the notion that they
controlled the situation. OF course
it was well to interfere against undue
violence toward the laborer, but it
was going too far, he thought, to
prohibit any laying on of hands by
overseers. Often it was necessary
to stimulate sense of duty in an
incorrigibly lazy, stubborn or other
wise vicious fellow with a push. 1t
would be out of all reason to have q
contract voided upon so slight pre-
text as that. The Government
would 60 far enough when it pro-
vided courts of law, in the different
districts, which could be depended
upon to discreetly and faithfully
administer the ample laws now on
the statute books for the protection
of the laborers. The Noble spoke
highly of the judgment exercised by
Mr.. Canavarro, Portuguese Com
missioner, in his dealing with com
plants by laborers of his nationality,
discriminating so accurately between
real and imaginary grievances as to
secure the settlement of disputes
with the least possible amount of
friction. He believed Mr.. Naka-
yama, the supplementary japanese
agent, to be a man of good judg-
mcnt, who would not encourage his
laboring countrymen here in making
frivolous complaints.
Mr.. +. A. SCHAEFER said he had
not had time as yet to fully consider
the declaration in question, or to
exchange views with others upon it.
One difficulty that occurred to him
rs possible, in carrying out the new
arrangements, would be the securing
of prompt action by the Inspectors.
Unless sufficient number of these
were appointed to have one for each
District, which would involve great
additional expense to the country
there might be delay in having dis
putes settled. The laws already ir
existence protected the laborers
against improper usage, and every
change made in them for a number
of years past has been to the adj
vantage of the laborcrs. While the
Government were doubtless actuate(
by the best intentions in the matter
he believed the objects in view
could better be attained by having
reliable Justices appointed in all thu
Districts. Salaries should be at
tached to those positions which
would secure the services of thor
oughly efficient men.