The Hawaiian star. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu]) 1893-1912, 1902-11-14
= Cent
CIGAR
letter FROM MERCHANTS

The Merchants Association of Honolulu representing the
joy of the White wholesale and retail traders of this city, pre-
scented Memorial the United States Senate Commission
Porto Rico and Pacific Island possessions in which they petition
ed the Senators their best efforts to have the United States
laws relative to the admission of Chinese abore for
operation in the Hawaiian Islands, that Chinese aborers would
be permitted to the Hawaiian Islands subject the cond
ton that they engage agricultural pursuits only this cond
ton be at any time broken the offender to be depoed from the
country We laid this Memorial before the Commissioners
the grounds that all trades and business enterprises would be
benefited thereby The need of suitable labor for and
fields has been brought orcb the minds of mechanics and
merchants alike by the contraction of business enterprise
drection large number of skilled mechanics have been compe
ed to leave the country from lack of employment The Homo
lulu Iron Works who do employ and have employed
Aac labor only able half their normal force and the
building and kindred trades almost ands These
dons believe mainly caused by the high cost and scarcity
common aborers in the fields from which the wealth of the
country is drawn As Association of Merchants believe
the welfare of all classes artisans merchants and mechanics in
the Islands is denenden on the successful cultivation of sugar
and its economical the marketable product
to successfully bring to maturity large number OF
field aborr required throughout the Islands, and this work
which white unable, from climatic and other condi
tons, engage with comfort
handled mainly by Japanese labores you doubtless well
of the unsatisfactory and unreliable character of this class
OF labor and to fill the great gaps in the ranks OF field hands we
believe the plantation throughout the Islands
mou in their decision that Chinese would best meet the cOnd
lions that exist in the field and useful aw-abdng
body of who, while adding the wealth and purchasing
of the whole community would not dpace single white
man from any position or III any sense enter INTO competition
with any white artisan mechanic common aborer Our AS
ISOLATION formed for the express purpose of protecting the
property and the welfare OF the whole community, and to
devise and promote such legislation the Associate
body may deem wise and eXpedien for the benefit of the
Territory Hawaii We name the object and purpose the
ISOLATION, while influential in membership the body is but
young, and we'll known the public. Before taking
further steps to secure Chinese field labore we would be GLAD
you would bring the subject before your Union for express
Of opinion from the members of your Society," for feel
that this indispensable relief proposed for the main industry OF
the country command itself Judgment and
that your Union will endorse through its proper officers the
ton have already taken bringing this important matter be
fore the United States Senate Commission Enclosed will
please find draft of the Memorial named and early
ton to this matter will greatly obige.