The Hawaiian star. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu]) 1893-1912, 1894-01-22
PLANTERS IN COUNCIL.
TWELFTH ANNUAL SESSION OF
THEIR ASSOCIATION.
Labor Observation-Disclosures station
cultivation and Fcrtilizers-
New Omcers.

New OUcers'
AT this mornings ad Journed meeting
of the twelfth annual session of the
Planters Labor and Supply Company.
members were present either IN person
or by proxy. PRESIDENT Irwin was in
The chair, and Secretary w. o. Smith
was at his desk.
A report was nd by Secretary Smith.
One of the chief matters demanding at
tention was the labor question. Japs
now predominant in numbers as field
hands. Efforts to get more of them are
met with "a difficulty in the way of suf-
rage agitation. There is also exception
to having an excess of men of Que ma
tionality. Since October 1892, the la
borers imported from Japan number 4O45
men and 075 women.
Pest and blight, heretofore unknown,
appeared about a year ago and threat
ened the cane fields. Luckily the dan
gers first made their appearance in
Honolulu, and by great efforts were
confined to the island of Oahu. Profess
sor Kobele, distinguished specialist
has been engaged to fight the blight and
insects. He sent the ladybug to kill the
pests and is now on the ground. The
company has been aided in this direc-
Planters have of necessity taken a
deep interest in politics The organi2a-
ton is i'm no sense political but members
have endeavored to exercise conserva-
tive and iudcious influence.
Droughts were a.great trial in certain
districts, but the losses have not been
great, The planters believe that water
supplies can be conserved by the preser-
walton of forests.
The Planters Monthly has been ably
and satisfactorily conducted by Mr..
Whitney.
A change in the time for holding the
meeting is suggested. AT the date now
set most of the growers are busy at their
plantations.
Mr.. Smith announced that he would,
on account of his connection with the
Government, decline to serve further as
a trustee or as secretary.
Treasurer Swanzy reported a balance
of 5000 on hand. He estimated ex-
penses for the current year at S3oS0.
This includes half of Professor Koebele's
salary, which is $4,000 with expenses.
There was voted an assessment of II
cents. The trustees were given author
ity to levy another cent If considered
necessary.
The new trustees are Messrs. Swanzy,
AtnerUO1. lDOIbS, pbhOiNi. iouhSo,
Irwin. Baldwin and j. o. Carter
On the suggestion of Mr.. Irwin the
Bureau of Information will be merged
into the office of secretary. There are
received many inquiries from abroad.
Messrs Davies and Baldwin advised the
collection as much as the spreading of
knowledge. Mr.. Baldwin said that he
had to confess that in. many particulars
the planters of Louisiaaa were ahead of
sugar growers on the Islands. The
Louisiana planters would willingly furn-
ish facts and hints to their Hawaiian
friends. Mr.. Marsden spoke of letters
from the States asking if small planta.
tions could be purchased. He had
great difficulty in furnishing satisfac-
tory answers.
MIR. Bolte, in a report, introduced the
matter of the proposed experimental
station. This is now necessity. He
thought $4,000 would set up
such an establishment There should be
a laboratory with chemist who could
furnish analyses of sugar, soil, water.
ETC. Mr.. Glade would suggest as mana
ger German expert with experience in
the States. Mr.. Swanzy did not believe
$4,000 would be enough He proposed
that the committee moved by Mr.
Glade report to the trustees and that
the pTOCetu W ehs
station, The committee will consist OF
Messrs. Glade, Bote and Baldwin.
Mr.. Rolte's report on labor was to the
effect that wages were about the same
and that the supply had been adequate
The Japanese now filled the fields
They were industrious, cheerful and a
valuable addition to the population
Some planters thought it advisable tc
mix the nationalities and that might bt
a good idea,
Mr., Marsden made brief verbal re
port on tobacco. He had set GU
about ten plants. There was much sol
adapted to tobacco culture. However
very few planters had any knowledg,
of curing. Some leaves grown at tn,
Government nursery had been mad'
into cigars which were excellent. MIR
Glade had mentioned that some Hawa
iian tobacco manufactured in Bremen
would not burn. Mr.. Marsden asserted
that the islands could produce Tobacco,
second to none in the world.
A lengthy document as the report o
the committee on cultivation was pre-
scented by Mr.. II. Morrison. He re
counted various experiments at differ
ent plantations with bone meal, phos
pilates. etc., and offered many sug
gestions on planting and irrigation.
Mr. Morrison touched upon the labo
question. He said that restrictions u. o
the importation of Chin 8 should u
removed There We're too many JaI
i'm the country. The Chinese were tn
best and steadiest plantation worker
They did not organize and threaten sue
concerted action as striking. They wer
sober. In Java plantation laborers wer
paid but 81 to So month, and l0C
hands could be had in twenty-fou
hours. At present the planters were i
the position of being dictated to by tn
Japanese rulers. The report was az
cepted and filed.
Mr.. Swanzy read the report of hi
special committee on fertilizers, covel
ing the ground quite fully. The erectlo
and maintenance of an experiments
station was earnestly advocated.
The trustees elected as officers: Pre-
ident w. q. Irwin; vice-president, |
A. Schaefer; secretary, G. Bolte; trea!
ur,r, F. NJ. Swanzy; auditor, j. {
Carter. Resolutions of thanks wei
voted for w. o. Smith, the retirn
secretary, AUD for Treasurer Swanzy.
AZ AFTERNOON session of about a
hour was held by the planters. M
Whitney read an elaborate report O
the culture of ramie, a fiber plan
Commissioner Marsden showed iib'
sisal and sansvieria plants and told {
their culture and value. He enliste
not little interest in the sansvieria.
The company adjourned subject
the call of the officers.
Two Days.