The Daily bulletin. [volume] (Honolulu [Hawaii]) 1882-1895, 1891-10-26


lows, f. NJ. Swsnzy, W. 0. Smith,
w. G, Irwin, j. B. Atherton, f. A.
Schaefer, Fl. p, Baldwin, II. f.
Glade, A. Young, j, 0. Carter.
THE LABOR QUESTION.
Pending a meeting of trustees for
the election of officers, according to
practice, reports Of committees were
called for.
Mr.. Baldwin said he had no report
from the labor committee, as he had
been absent in the States and only
returned Saturday. They had the
'Secretary's and Mr.. Marsden's re-
ports, however, before them as a
basis of discussion. While away he
met Mr.. Oxenard, one of the direc-
tors of the Western Sugar Refinery,
whom he asked for information re-
garding the cost of sugar production
in Cuba. Mr.. Oxcnard's brother
and others had just investigated that
matter for themselves, and the reply
was that all profitable plantations put
sugar on board ship for $40 ton.
This was what the Hawaiian Planters
would have to come down to. Mr..
Baldwin doubted whether any plan
tations on the islands do that now.
They could not reduce the price OF
machinery nor that of supplies.
Labor was the only matter in which
they could reduce the cost of pro-
duction. The item of labor amount
ed to abont &C percent of the ex-
pense of running plantation. They
would have to figure down the price
of labor 8 or 10 percent to keep
agoing. They must have labor at
from $40 to $12 month. There
was little prospect of any better
price. If the United States make a
treaty with Germany as proposed, it
will complete the circle of treaties
with all raw sugar countries. While
the state of affairs here was blue, he
did not feel discouraged. Under the
constitutional amendment passed last
session, requiring TO be carried again
next, they could have laws regulating
Chinese immigrants so as to coniine
them to agricultural pursuits. 1t
would take year and half, owing
to red tape business, to get laborers
from India. One other recourse was
to get more japanese, whose price
was too high, however it should not
be more than S15.
Mr.. Austin asked what was the
price of labor in Cuba. On Mr..
Baldwin replying he did not enquire,
Mr.. Austin said he had heard it was
$3.50, but the dollar there might
not be the same as here. Later a
member brought in the information
that the pesetos of Cuba was 90
cents and fraction of American
money.
Mr.. Walker suggested the con-
sderation of Mr.. Marsden's report.
Mr.. Tenney quoted Mr.. Oscar
Stillman, who was here last year, as
authority for wages in Cuba being
| SIS to $l7. The soil in that country
was very favorable, however, the
cane being capable of almost indie
finite rattooning.
Mr.. Glade asked if Mr.. Marsden
had not considered the Jayanese labor
the most suitable he had nvesti-
gated.
Mr.. Marsden replied it was about
equal to the japanese.
Mr.. Baldwin again expressed hopes
of getting Chinese when laws could
be passed for their regulation.
Mr.. Marsden emphaticaly urged
the necessity of such regulations to
prevent the Chinese from overwhel-
ming the country. That is what they
had done in all countries visited by
him where they were admitted with
out restrictions.
The Secretary asked about wages
in Java, to which Mr.. Marsden re-
piled s cents day and find them
selves. In Jamaica the rate was q
shilling day.
Recess was taken at ] / 80 to 2:1j
O'Clock.
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