The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1885-1921, 1901-11-29
CHINESE HAVE
LABOR TROUBLES
MIR. Girvin on Some of the
Phases Of Local Indus
try.

Editor Advertiser:-"Rice culture is
chiefly in the hands of the Chinese, and
does not suffer from labor troubles. These
people are possessed of persistent in
dustry which ought to command general
work hard for it,
| The writer of the above in the Adver-
tiser OF the 29rd would not have penned
those lines if better acquainted with the
subject. If she had known the number
of Chinese capitalists who are engaged
in the rice industry who are quivering on
the verge of bankruptcy on account of
labor troubles, it is certain the opposite
of the truth would not have been pub
Iished. OF all the industries in this Ter
ritory. that of raising rice has been most
injuriously effected by annexation and
the application of the exclusion laws of
the United States. There is but one class
of people who can work in the wet and
swamp lands as the rice culture requires
and that is the Chinese. Every steamer
takes away more or less of them, and
while their number is diminishing, wages
are in consequence going higher for those
that remain. Land rents have reached
very high point, as all admit who have
to pay them. or who have lands to rent.
The price of rice is fixed by the law of
supply and demand, and importation of
Japanese and foreign rice. Wages for
field hands. which were formerly $3.50
and board per month. have advanced to
SO and SIG. This, together with the Gus
TO, ri aIrac h..
close to Ss2 and s33 per month. Nothw!th-
standing the ability to produce two crops
per annun1, there is to be considered the
accidents CT storm, which cause great
loss at times. 1t is noAprophesying to
state that II there is not some change
made In the immigration laws many
bankruptcies will occur within two years
amongst those who have much money in
vested in this industry. A large petition
will go forward to Congress explaining
the situation and asking that Chinese la
borers, either limited in number or as to
the period in which they may remain !
here. may be allowed to come to the Ha- |
waiian Islands.
The exclusion laws of the United States !
are probably very wholesome in protect
ing the labor element and in excluding
a class who make no professions to TAX j,
ing part in the politics of the country.
They were made for America as she was,
not for America as she is. including the
Arctic and tropic zones. 1t is a difficult
matter to make laws which are beneficial
to all parts of so great a republic, in that
the necessities of different parts are 50
opposed to those of other
parts. 1t is very essential that Congress
should be thoroughly informed of the ex-
tent of the rice industry of Hawaii, Of
the immense tracts which the Chinese
have reclaimed from innocuous desuetude
and rendered productive, as well as OF
the occupying by them of innumerable
tracts which were of no utility for other
purposes. Figures talk, and it is not
difficult matter to show the extent to
which Hawaii is indebted to the industry
we're done there is no doubt that wise {
Congress can be depended upon TO aIevi-
tie the situation. Tables showing the
lcreage in each district the number of
men employed, the product. the amount
# taxes paid by those engaged, and the
mounts of freights paid annually. would
,e easily compiled and would be very
TO the coming Congress. who
sill have to pass on proposed measures
f relief. A little labor spent at this sea-
on in that line might be productive OF
much benefit to that industry and Incl
entaHy TO all others.
JAS w. GIRVIN
KNIGHTHOOD TWICE REFUSED.