The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1885-1921, 1897-11-24
LABOR OF FIELDS
Report on qoilers Of Plantations
a Feature.
THE NUMBERS AND CLASSES
Japanese Lead With Chinese Sec.
ond-Mr. Coodaie's VieWs-On
stry-Attendapce.

President Atherton was in the chair
when the planters met again yesterday
morning. In calling the meeting to
order he made brief address, express
ing the hope that his administration
would be marked by as much success
and progress in the industry as that of
his predecessor.
The first report was by Professor
Maxwell on the manufacture of sugar.
1t was technical paper very interest
ing to the planters.
At the conclusion of Mr.. Giffard's pa
per on forestry he was, on motion of
Mr.. Davies, rendered vote of thanks.
Mr. Giffard dwelt upon the Importance
of preservation of trees for their utility
in conserving water supply. He had
corresponded with the United States
Commissioner and made the recon-
mendation that this Government en-
gage the services of forestry expert
for time A special committee con-
sisting of Professor Maxwell and
Messrs. Giffard and Hackfeld was ap-
pointed to confer with the Minister Of
Interior on forest policy.
Following is an abstract of the report
of the labor committee, presented by
Mr. Anterior, the chairman:
Taking the average of the year
through there were 21,764 laborers of
all classes employed on sugar planta-
tons. OF Japanese there were 6,109
contract and 5,285 free. Of Chinese
1850 were contract and 1911 free OF
Portuguese 369 were contract and 1 ,533
free Of Hawaiians 43O were contract
and 926 free. The remaining 416 were
South Sea Islanders and scattering
OF many nationalities.
FOrty-five plantations reported that
| they were we'll supplied with laborers
and six that they were not.
The numbers of assertions had been
large during the year, principally of
| Japanese. accounted for by the MAORI
ty of laborers being of that nationality
f, Managers reported that Japanese gave
the most trouble, probably for the
| same reason.
The number Of laborers whose CON
tracts expired during the year was
2,017. AS a rule they did not, re-ship
| Twenty-eight managers reported nc
difficulty in securing laborers, while q
reported otherwise.
| Average wages paid to laborers who
re-shipped varied Six plantations
paid the lowest, $13, and a few $14
Others paid from SIT to $22 according
to nationality. Portuguese who re.
contracted received the highest wages
$1S to 1922 Hawaiians came next
From the answers received the com
mittee estimated that 4,273 fresh lab
orers would be required from some
source during the coming year. In.
Guiding one large plantation not heard
from and one small one these figures
would be raised probably to an ever
5000
| Seventeen plantations preferred Jap
anese to any other labor, while si2
wanted all Chinese A number OF
others preferred both together, while
two plantations expressed a preference,
for Hawaiians only.
Mr.. AthertOn stated that his repor
was incomplete in some particulars fol
the reason that several planters hat
failed to reply to circular letters.
Mr.. GOodale created a bit of a stil
by his remarks on the manner in which
the sugar men were forced to impor
and provide labor for the coffee plan
tations
At the solicitation of all the member
present Professor Maxwell agreed tt
continue in the Craftsmanship of tn,
committees on Fertilization and Soils
Mr.. Davies introduced the subject O
the small attendance at the Planters
meetings. He pointed out that thos
interested remaining away were miss
ing something of great value He pre-
sented resolution on the subject AM
it was adopted at once Messrs. Nor
rison, Baldwin, Atherton and other
were fully in accord with the views O
Mr. Davies. All agreed that the lead
ing men on plantations should be pres
ent to hear the papers and discussions
; Adjourned sine die.