The Daily bulletin., 1892-11-16
Annual Meeting Of the Planters
Labor & Supply Company.
Important Reports and Discussions by the
Sugar Producers,

III Jne nall OF tne CnamDer Oh Com
merce. There we're present:
Hon. Alex. Young, President; Hon.
w. o. Smith, Secretary; Hons. w.
Y. Horner, j. M. Horner, Jos. Mars
den, j. B. Atherton, Aug. Dreier, j.
N. S. Williams, HI. M. Whitney and
H. p. Baldwin, Messrs. w. w. Hall,
w. j. Lowrey, T. S. Spalding, F. A.
Schaefer, j. &. Spencer, j. F. Hack
field, T. r. Walker, T. S. Kay, G. NJ.
Cooke and w. H. Cornwell.
Reading of minutes was dispensed
with, as they had been published in
the Planters Monthly.
The Secretary read his annual re-
port as follows:
Eleventh Annual Report.
The past year has been one of
severe trial for sugar planters. The
sudden and great fall in prices of
sugar, of the previous year, conse-
quent upon the change in the United
States tariff, left the plantations in
serious condition. The cost of pro-
ducing sugar before the change was
greater than the prices realized I'M
der the new conditions. With high
rates of wages, high rents and ex-
pensive cost of transporting produce
to the market, the situation was cri-
tical. For time it appeared that
many of the plantations would have
to suspend operations. The danger
is not yet over, but thus far only
three plantations have suspended.
Every energy has been bent to re-
ducing the cost of production and
the outlook is not now so discourage
ing, although but few plantations
have more than paid expenses and
many have not met expenses.
To this subject of reducing the
cost of production the Trustees have
directed the most attention during
the year.
The monthly statements of the
number of laborers employed and
rates of wages paid, have been regu-
larly published and distributed.
These reports have been of value,
but it is to be regretted that so many
have failed to make the returns to
the Secretary. If all would report
faithfully the information thus OBJ
tanned would be of much greater
value.
Wages of laborers have been re-
duced about one-third, but are still
so high that unless further reduc-
tions can be made more of the plan
tations will have to be discontinued
soon, and others later.
The effort to obtain more Chinese
laborers has not met with success,
but it is hoped that the measure now
before the Legislature will result in
admitting sufficient number of
them to supply the demand, and at
wages adapted to the circumstances.
The subject is of national import
ance.
JAPANESE LABOR.
The supply of japanese laborers
has been sufficient for the most
pressing needs, and there have been
less complaints in regard to deser-
tions.
The agreement proposed by the
Hamakua planters, and referred to
the trustees at the last annual meet
ing, was drawn up and sent to all
the planters. Some endorsed the
plan and others made no responses
Had it been entered into by all it is
believed that much more benefit
would have resulted. -.
The effort to have the Is percent
reserved from the Japanese wages
made available to defray the ok,
penses of runaway laborers, failed.
CHEMISTS.
The trustees appointed commit,
tee consisting of Messrs. HI. F. Glade
and A. Young to obtain information
as to the cost of engaging chemists
from abroad for the various districts
These gentlemen will probably re
port the information they have
gained.
MICROSCOPE.
Pursuant to the recommendation
of the company the trustees procured
valuable microscope in Januar,
last and presented the same to Mr.
A. Jaeger with the thanks of tn,
Company for the services he ha.
rendered to the agricultural interests
of the country. Mr.. Jaeger accepted
the same and expressed his apprecia
tion of the compliment.
TOBACCO SEED.
The trustees, by the aid of Hon. j
Marsden, procured a supply of to
bacco seed from Sumatra, and have
distributed small quantities of it tC
as many as applied for it.
More than one half the origina
quantity remains on hand and sup
plies can be obtained from the secre
tary. Directions for planting, cult
vation and curing have been printed
and are furnished to each one whC
takes supply.
The conditions upon which tn
seed is given out, are that each per
son supplied shall report the resul
of the planting and furnish tn
company with a reasonable amour
OF the first crop for expectation
abroad as samples. The compan
desires information as To the locatio
where grown elevation, etc., an,
conditions under which it was pro
duced, and any other circumstance
which may be of interest. One OF
ject being to ascertain the localitie
where the best results are produced