The Hawaiian gazette. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu, Hawaii]) 1865-1918, 1901-11-29
CHINESE HAVE
LABOR TROUBLES

| Editor ADMINISTRATIVE culture Is
chiefly in the hands of the Chinese. and
does not suffer from labor troubles. These
people are possessed of u persistent in
dustry which ought to command general
respect. They deserve success for they
work hard for it,"
| The writer of the above in the Adver-
tiser of the 23rd would not have penned
those lines II better acquainted with the
subject. If she had known the number
of Chinese capitalists who are engaged
in the rice industry who are qulverng on
the verge of bankruptcy on account OF
I labor troubles 1t Is certain the opposite
! of the truth would not have been pub
lished. 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 ella So
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 $l2 80
and board per month, have advanced to
80 and SIG This, together with the GUS
tomary board makes 1t cost the employer
close to So and $50 per month. Nothwith-
standing the ability to produce two crops
per annum, there is TO be considered the
accidents of storm. which cause great
loss at lines. 1t is not prophesying to
state that If 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 liz 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
q class who make no professions to TAX
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 n difficult
matter to make laws which are beneficial
TO all paris of so great a republic in that
the necessities of different parts are so
diametrically 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 II Is not a
difficult matter to show the extent to
which Hawaii Is indebted to the industry
and perseverance of the Chinese. If such
were done there Is no doubt that a wise
Congress can be depended upon to alleyi-
ate the situation. Tables showing the
acreage in each district. the number of
men employed. the product the amount
OF taxes paid by those engaged, and the
amounts OF freights paid annually, would
be easily compiled and would be very
instructive to the coming Congress. who
viii have to pass on proposed measures
OF relief. A little labor spent at this sea-
son in that line might be productive of
much benefit to that industry and Incl
dentaliy to all others.
JAS. W. GIRVIN.