The Independent. [volume] (Honolulu, H.I.) 1895-1905, 1898-09-21
THE HAWAIIAN RICE INDUSTRY
A Memorial Presented To the Com
missioners this Morning.

missloners this morning.
At this mornings session Of the
Commissioners a memorial was
presented to them, asking for
recommendation for the protection
OF the rice industry of Hawaii. The
main points of the memorial, which
was drafted by Hon. l.. A. Thurs
ton and presented by. Mr.. W. Horace
Wright, are as follows:
For many years rice has occupied
the second position in Importance
as an export of the country.
1t forms the main article Of food
for nearly one-half of the entire
population and also forms a very
considerable part of the food of the
remaining portion of the people of
Hawaii.
The census OF 1896 shows that out
OF S44 rice plantation owners, 718
were Chinese, and that the persons,
almost without exception, employed
are Chinese. These employees aver
age about 5000 year.
Owing to conditions hand labor
is practically a necessity, and no
nationality has been found able to
do the work necessary in the rice
fields except the Chinese.
The terms OF the Joint Resolution
of annexation would seem to fore
shadow total exclusion of Chinese
from Hawaii.
The estimated area Of rice lands
is 10000 renting at $40 an acre.
The annual crop is about 10000
tons of value of 100000; about
$1,000 tons are consumed in the
country and 5000 exported.
Most of the rice lands are low
aud swampy and unavailable for
the cultivation OF any other product, >.
and unless cultivated may revert to
their former condition.
1t is estimated that in addition to
the 5000 laborers directly engaged
in rice cultivation an equally large
number OF persons, most of whom
are Hawaiians and white men, are
supported out OF such industry
from rents received from rice plan
tations, freights, carriage, insurance,
commissions, and supplies furnished
to persons interested in this bust
ness.
The memorial then states that
not only will the continuance of
Chinese in the Hawaiian rice indus
try not interfere with any Hawaiian
or American industry; but that its
discontinuance will deprive a large
number Of Hawaiians and Ameri-
cans OF their present means of liveli-
hood, with no compromising bene fit
accruing to anyone.
1t is respectfully submitted to the
consideration of the Honorable
Commission whether or not such
legislation cannot be passed as will
enable Chinese laborers to come to
Hawaii who shall be specifically and
expressly limited to engage in the
cultivation of rice in order that said
industry, and those dependent upon
it may be saved from the disastrous
and ruinous consequences which
will follow il the source OF labor
supply for this important industry
is suddenly and entirely wiped out.
This memorial is signed by large
number of prominent business men.
CHINESE IMMIGRATION BENEFICIAL,
Mr.. Wright also presented the fol-
lowing memorial which was signed
by upwards of three hundred promi-
nent business men, mechanics and
skilled laborers, and drafted by an
influential and prominent kamaaina;
To THE HONORABLE COMMISSIONERS,
APPOINTED BY THE PRESIDENT OF
THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
TO RECOMMEND LEGISLATION FOR
THE HAWAIIAN ISLANDS:
GENTLEMEN:
WHEREAS, the prohibitory laws OF
Of I'M