The Hawaiian star. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu]) 1893-1912, 1897-04-26
MAY Be LEADING PRODUCT.
COMMISSIONER FITZGERALD ON
THE COFFEE INDUSTRY.
Believes that Diversity of Staples Is
the Surest Sign of Prosperity-Cof-
fee viii Replace Sugar.

Incidentally, while studying the la
Dor conditions on Hawaii, Labor Com
missioner Fitzgerald has been able to
gain a great insight into the coffee
growing business. He will return to
the coast with the belief firmly i'm
planted in his mind that in it largely
lies the future wealth and prosperity
of the islands. Mr.. Fitzgerald is not,
by any means, one-crop enthusiast,
for his wide experience has taught
him that diversity of products in an
agricultural country is the surest
sign of prosperity, but he is of the
opinion that coffee will, in time, take
the place of sugar as the leading pro-
duct of the islands.
There is no doubt in my mind"
said the Commissioner yesterday
that the future of coffee in Hawaii
is assured. 1t has gotten beyond the
experimental stage and the only ques-
tion now is, how labor can be secured
to handle the crop in the most advan-
tageous manner. The question is a
serious one from the present outlook.
1t is true that the present acreage can
be taken dare of without much trouble
but it is comparatively small and in
significant. Within the next decade,
from the present indications there
will be from 5000 to 10000 acres bear
ing. l cannot see how half or quar-
ter of that can be handled under the
present labor conditions.
During nine months of the year a
good sized plantation can be taken
care of from two to five men, but dur
ing the picking season, which lasts
from six to twelve weeks, the services
of from six to eight times that num-
Der OF laborers are required. Clearly
the pickers, if they are men, must find
employment elsewhere during the nine
other months. They cannot be spared
from the sugar plantations, for the
season when coffee is ripening is usu-
ally the busiest season in the cane
fields.
"The remedy lies in diversifying
crops to a certain extent, and then
to employing everywhere white lab
orers, who do not come here merely
to make money to spend elsewhere
but who wiz build up homes and real
families. The Asiatics do nothing to-
ward the development, of country
They work cheap and live cheaply
boarding their money to spend else
where, without attempting to better
their condition. The white laborer, OF
the other hand, is not content to work
always for wages. He accumulstes {
little money, and then becomes an EN-
ployer himself, buying land and clear
ing it as fast as he is able. Meanwhile
he builds his little home and take:
pleasure in rearing family. If ht
prospers the country prospers. Sucf
development fosters diversified labor
Villages are built up and tradesmer
and artisans find employment. AL
have homes and rear families, anC
when the coffee is ripe, the children
may find pleasant and lucrative em
ployment in the coffee fields as they
do in the fruit orchards Of California
today. =
"Such state of affairs is no day
dream. 1t can be brought about ano
must be before the success of the cof
fee business is assured. This Govern
ment should foster white immigration
now, but under proper restrictions
The riff-raff should be kept out. Eacl
immigrant should be subjected to {
rigid examination, and only those wht
have proper means and proper morals
permitted to enter. The movement
, for white labor should commence a
once, and should have the moral sup
port of every substantial man and wo
man on the islands. Wishing it wei