The Hawaiian gazette., 1900-06-12
WAGE QUESTION LEFT
TO THE INDIVIDUAL
Majority of Men Regret
Termination of
Contract.
Especial Correspondence.

Especial Correspondence. ]
OLAA PLANTATION, June THE
near approach of the day when the
United States laws will go into opera
ton is the incentive to much discussion
on Hawaii. as well as on the sister ISL
anus. Both interests, capital and labor,
have been active during the past few
weeks, preparing for the inevitable:
each bent upon reaching some conclu-
sion that may be mutually satisfactory
and the terms of which Will in meas
ure be binding on both.
Both Sides Ready.
The planters of Hawaii have met,
perfected their organization and Sc
iected and accredited their representa-
tives to the Honolulu convention
Equally as active. the Japanese have
held almost daily meetings, but de-
cided on no course of action until late
Sunday night last. On that day
large meeting, largely attended by
leading Japanese, was held at Hilo. The
meeting was presided over by b. One
mo- who is largely interested in agri-
culture at Olaa and other portions of
Hawaii. The whole of the afternoon
proceedings were devoted to the elucl-
dalton of various plans and finally Gull
minated at the evening meeting in the
selection of a permanent Council OF
twelve. WIN SItIlld tto piNoiNN'''
and Mr.. Minigishi as vice president.
This council then went into an eXecu-
tive session which lasted until midnight
and eliminated with
A Definite Plan of Action.
II was determined by them to issue
an address to their countrymen, coun-
selling them to leave the subject matter
of their future status to arbitration; to
avoid haste in taking advantage of
their release from the contract system;
to refrain from excessive demonstra-
lions; to avoid violence, and to take
part in no turbulent meetings Inc
question of wages was disposed OF py
a resolution that all matters pertaining
thereto be left just as they are at pres
ent. the Council being unanimously OF
the opinion that the question was one
for the individual determination of the
iaborers, and that any movement TO es-
tablish fixed rate would only precipi-
tate the very crisis 1t was no Wsousnit
was brought out that majority OF
the contract laborers would have pre-
ferred a continuance of the system, as
under 1t permanent labor was an assur-
ed fact, and their remuneration never
In doubt.
Conference Committees.
A motion was then made and pre-
vailed that a committee be appointed
to confer with the planters In the dls-
tricts of Hilo, Puma and Okala as far
as Laupahoehoe. Messrs.' oheno:
chairman, Frank SakamaN (both oil
Olaa), S. Minioisbi and S. Sato. were
selected as such committee, anu 'he
Council adjourned.
on Monday last the committee issued
an address in Japanese, calling upon
their countrymen to confer with thenn;
This address, 1t was decided "oulu
also be printed in English ana as
tributed. The committee VIII enueaS sh
TO address the laborers orally on each
plantation they visit. and feel assured
that much good will result therefrom.
The members of the committee 10 olaa
are Takamaki and Minigishi
The Hilo Railroad
The railroad is a fixed fact for olaa,
the first train arriving last Saturday
in charge of Superintendent Lambert
with Kamaina Spencer at the throttle
valve. Since then two trips day nave
been made to this point and each tram
has brought heavy loads of machinery
and lumber for the Olaa mills, ware
houses and depots, and the work OF
construction has commenced under the
superintendence of Mill Constructor
Williams, an experienced engineer and
mill architect. The sound OF the loco
motive whistle Is a novelty to the ma
tives and is eagerly listened for.
There have been a large number of
visitors to the big Plantation" during
the past month including prominent
planters promoters and tourists. En-
gineer Kluegel of the Hilo road says
the tracks and bed-roads are standing
the test of the heavy rolling stock eX-
cellently. There are slight says here
and there but nothing to cause any I'M
easiness.
Scare All Over.
There was considerable interest here
over the first election under American
procedure, and some people thought
the palladium of their liberties was in
jeopardy. However when 1t was all
over and everybody got about what
they wanted. they began wondering
what scared them and some are at it
yet
The water indications at Kaumana
are good and improving every week.
Regular night rains and warm sunny
days are the natural essentials OF a
has been getting for the last two
months and the result is found i'm the
splendid and sturdy appearance of the
cane.
DAN d. PENN