Evening bulletin. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu, Hawaii]) 1895-1912, 1896-12-14
MONDAY, DEC. IA, 1896.
AS TO SUGAR.

cheap labor unuer cOnIraCJ lnto
Hawaii would be prohibited by
the existing laws of that nation.
1t is the shiploads of contract
laborers from japan that chiefly
tells in the process, that has been
going on for many years, of crowd
ing these islands with japanese.
The official auspices giving digni-
ty to the process would be trans
ferred TO Washington, and the
self.interest of our planters would
not there be availing to make the
authorities wink at breaches of
understandings. Chinese immi.
grafton would come to an end with
the snap of a spring lock. Our
local authorities would have their
hands free then, and probably be
compelled by force of new circum.
stances, to make vagrancy laws
that would be effective for com.
polling the host of Asiatic loafers
in the country to 60 to work.
With all the laboriug population
in the country at tht date of union
utilized, taking into account con-
tracts unexpired which may be
allowed to run their course, the
sugar plantations might be ex-
pected to safely tide over the tran
sition to new labor system.
Should the necessity arise draft
could be made with facility from
the coIored folk of the Southern
States, but the possibility is that the
planters could adapt their inter-
ests to the new conditions without
having to resort to extraordinary
expedients. Surprising, however,
that for considerable time sugar
planting should be made less pro-
fitable, it would be placed on
more secure basis by this country's
coming under the American flag.
1t would have the assurance of
free market forever in the country
that has always taken the entire
Hawaiian product. There would
be no periodical seasons of trepi.
dalton, either over the possible
Rbrogation of reciprocity or the
nulliiication Of its advantages, to
the party of this part, by legisla-
ton At Washington. 1t is strong
ly held, as we'll as fondly hoped,
in that country, that the United
States will before a great while be
able to produce all the sugar con
sumed within its bounds. When
that time even approaches it will
be cold day for Hawaii if she be
found still outside of those
bounds. 1t has already been
proved, i'll the experience of the
Mckinley tariff period, how little
Hawaiian sugar interests counted
when Congress was legislating
what it deemed the best CONNER
cial and financial policy for the
United States. With the convic-
ton and hope referred to, there is
no question that domestic sugar
will b. subject of the highest
consideration, in Americas policy
Of protecting and nourishing
home industry, just as long as
that policy will prevail. And it
is not necessary to concede that
artificial nurture and support of
home industry is right, to indicate
Hawqii's Advantages in coming
under the sway of the doctrine,
when the bald certainty is that it
will be many years-if not presi-
dental terms before the United
States will adopt any fiscal policy
containing even the semblance of
free trade. With her absolute
commercial dependence upon
America, it is better that Hawaii
should be an organic part of that
nation. Annexation might for
the initial experience be disap-
nointinu or cousa some sliuht