The Hawaiian star. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu]) 1893-1912, 1902-09-12
APPEAR BEFORE THE
COMMISSION
TO-DAY
ANOTHER STRONG MEMOeIsf-
SUBMITTED BY BUSINESS MEN.
PLANTERS GIVE INFORMATION
ABOUT THE SUGAR INDUSTRY.

The session came to order at 9:40.
McClanahan waving his right of ap-
pearance on account of the business
men in waiting. Senator Mitchell ex-
planned that the Planters Association
had postponed their right until Tues
day. w. G. Irwin was sworn and
made a brief statement, as the presi-
dent of the Chamber of Commerce, and
chairman of its memorial committee.
He explained that the planters, bank
ers and Merchants Association were
all ready with papers, and the Cham
Der would prefer to wait until these
had been read before making a report,
many of the members of these orders
being also members of the Chamber.
f. NJ. Swanzy, as a member of the
board of trustees, of 81 plantations,
with capital of $4,000, 900 and $4,000
taxation, with employers amounting to
$500, last seasons crop of 36003S tons,
shipped so far 300, 900 tons, read paper
for the Planters Association" The
methods of transportation were especi-
ally by the Hawaiian-American Steam
ship Co., a large fleet of American
steamers and sailing vessels are en-
ployed in the carrying of the sugar.
Japanese and Chinese laborers are a
necessity, no other labor being procur-
able, Other cane growing countries
possess either an indigenous laboring
population, or have within easy reach
available field labor. The native Ha-
waiian laborer has no tendency towards
field work. They are good mechanics
and are engaged in a variety of trades.
Many countries have been drawn from
by immigration, Germany, Norway,
and Sweden, Azores, Madeira, Portu-
gal, Galecia, China and Japan, besides
MI Rrit tiah TO nd
American negroes in small numbers.
With the exception of Portuguese from
Madeira and Azores, Europeans have
been found untitled for field work. The
improved condition of these peoples
home countries need no longer immi
grafton, the people have improved
themselves and their children, with
education have fitted themselves for
labor more congenial than the fields.
The impossibility of securing suffi-
cient labor from other sources made
the question of China and Japan as
sources a necessity. Since annexation
the task of procuring an adequate
supply has been enormous. many fig
ures were then quoted showing the ac-
tual decrease of Chinese and Japanese
laborers from June IA, 1900, to June 80,
1902, was 1245, the arrivals, male, be-
ing S509, and the departure 9754)
Some Portuguese and Italians from
the States were secured, also an un-
successful attempt made to get negroes
of a better class. Finally 2930 Porto
Ricans were brought. Agents were es-
tablished on the mainland, but the con-
tinent was found to have absorbed all
labor available.
while cultivation of small lots of
cane on a profit-sharing basis was ex-
perimented upon with fifteen chosen
families, and help extended in plough
ing fields and other directions, the
result was a failure and the families
drifted away unable to perform the
necessary labor.
'It should be pointed out that in ques-
tions of homesteading lands, all lands
now cultivated by plantation owners
were arid wastes now reclaimed by ir-
rigation and expensive plants neces-
sary to the same. Even were white
men able and willing to labor there is
no supply available. Japan is not en-
tirely to be relied upon, and we believe
that a restricted Chinese immigration
for agricultural purposes only Will
solve the difficulty, as sugar is the
pivot on which we revolve, on the4suc-
cess of the sugar industry depends the
well-being of every resident of the
United States.
Surprise has been expressed that
other industries do not attract more
attention to the islands. Possibilities
in this direction are not inconsidera-
BILE, but the labor question again stands
in the way. Coffee was attempted
as an industry with homesteaded
lands, costly drying houses and clean