The Hawaiian star. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu]) 1893-1912, 1900-06-19
DEMANDS OF JAPANESE
is NOT A MERE ANNULMENT OF
CONTRACTS.
Want to Place the Plantations at the
Mercy of the Laborers-Planters As
sociation Acts.

The Planters Association received
definite word today of what the de-
mands of the plantation laborers are
that have given rise to the strikes and
labor troubles. The demands of the
laborers on Wailuku plantation, Ha-
waiian Commercial and Sugar Compa-
ny, the Kauai plantations and Heeia
plantation are practically the same.
The laborers demand ne cancellation
of their contracts, and that the plan
tations shall pay each individual Ia
borer the 81. so a month which by the
terms of the contract are to be paid to
the immigration companies in consider
alton of the companies having brought
the laborer to the Islands and guar
anteeing his services during the con-
tract period, or to replace him if he
deserts.
1t will thus be seen that the agitators
who have been at work among the
laborers have been keener than they
were given credit for. The territorial
act does not annul labor contracts. 1t
simply abolishes the penal enforcement
of them, leaving them as civil con-
tract to be enforced by civil remedies.
For the plantations to cancel the con-
tracts would be for them to lose the
guarantee of the immigration compa-
nies that the laborer contracted for will
serve during the period of his contract
or be replaced by another man. 1t is
also said not to certain that they can
cancel the contracts without the con-
sent of the immigration societies. For
it was a part of the contract that this
| 81. so a month should be paid out of
each contract laborer's monthly wages
to the immigration societies.
If the contracts are cancelled and the
so. so reserved from each laborer's pay
! is paid to him, there is no check on the
! laborer, and he may leave at any time
as house servants do, irrespective of
any moral obligation.
1t was in anticipation of this ques-
tion arising that the passbook system
for laborers was adopted by some of the
| local planters associations.
| A reply to the inquiries from the diff
| ferent plantation managers in connec-
ton with their reports of the demands
of the laborers, was drafted by the as
sociation. The reply, however, was not
couched in dogmatic or positive terms
| but left the matter very much in the
hands of the managers.
Coupled with the demonstrated dis
position of the laborers to strike in 9
body, coercing into striking those who
do not want to, 1t is said ibis demand
| of the laborers is very cunningly de-
vised to embarras both the plantations
and the immigration societies, though
ultIlnately IL VIII react On lhe laOolSi'
| themselves.
AS far as the 50 so per month, or 81
as it is in some cases, is concerned, the
plantations are willing to accede to the
demands of the laborers, it is stated
but they are not willing to consider the
contracts as having been annulled by
the territorial law. The immigration
companies, however, would probably
make objections to this plan of settle
ment. The plantation managers are
inclined to the view that it is not theil
concern to pay the monthly sum to the
immigration companies any longer thar
the laborers want them to do so. Th'
contracts provide that the whole sun
shall be repaid to the laborers at tht
end of their terms, and it is regarded
as simply monthly saving which th'
laborer may make or not as he ma!
| choose.