The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1885-1921, 1902-12-11

clal, political and Industrial conditions
here are concerned there is no choice,
and that choice would fall to the Chi
nese limited to a certain period of years
Between the Japanese and the Chinese
1T is preferable from my observations
to have the Chinese
What should very much like is that
the planta ations should secure this re-
stricted importation for period of ten
years, they pledging themselves that it
was for this term only, and that they
must so adjust themselves to some
methods for carrying on the sugar plan
tations at the end of that time, that the
change will not be felt. That would
be my idea of solution of the labor
problem. 1 heartily hope that the day
is not far off when the Hawaiian ISL
ands will be occupied in great part by
white farmers. / regard the American
self-supporting, independent farmer as
the corner stone of the state. This
change I have suggested cannot come
in one, two or three years, but can in
ten years if the land laws are changed
to meet conditions In the meantime
how are the plantations to be carried
on? How is the industrial prosperity
to be continued?"
Various members of the two organiza-
tions present made statements, some in
the nature of replies to Miss Coman's
suggestions and inquiries. One or two
went back into political history and in
stead of suggesting q remedy for pres
ent conditions preferred to call up old
political rows. The talk was quite gem
eral and some excellent suggestions
were made.
j. H. Craig. John Bowler, Carl Taylor
and others said they favored the inn
portation of Chinese under certain con-
ditions. providing that this did not
throw the Japanese upon the cities to
compete with the white mechanics.
Carl Taylor said the Japanese were
more feared here by the mechanics than
the Chinese, as they had worked their
way into every known trade here. Mr..
Harris said there were $4,000 Japanese
in the cities and towns not now en-
ployed in the fields. If these or por-
ton of them could be gotten back to
the plantations it would assist in solv-
ing the question. Getting them back
would create demand for white labor
to come here.
j. II. Craig presented a. fair state
ment of the situation. Chinese and
Japanese laborers must be retained un-
til replaced by American labor. The
Chinaman had degraded cane field la
bor His experience had been that
white men can do the work but how
can such men be brought here to per-
form it? THE situation said he, tis
this: We must have labor or the plan
tations must go to the wall. Personal
ly l am in favor of Chinese limited
number for importation-to be returned
to China and not permitted to drift into
the cities. We have got to prevent
these Asiatics already here from enter
ing into competition with the white
men. 1t is not the working man who
can accomplish this, but he has to COM
bine with the business man. We have
got to be fair and we must meet the
planters. We are a cane-producing
country-there is more money in sugar
than anything else-therefore it is best
to continue that industry. We are TAX
ing the labor matter UP because the
Merchants Association feels the pinch
The merchant is not like the working
man, who, if conditions are not to his
liking. can pack his trunk and go. The
majority of the retail merchants under
stand this and 1 feel sure it is going
to result in some good for the working
man of this country. / don't think it
was or is Intentional on the part of the
plantations to put the Asiatic in COM
petition with the white mechanic, it is
only thoughtlessness.
'The planters are good class of men
mo better anywhere. 1 believe from
this on the merchants will bring in
fiuence to bear upon the Chamber of
Commerce to employ only white labor
ers, for unless something is done there
VIII be very few white men in this
country other than the sugar planters.
If all business men would put clause
in their specifications and plans that
no Asiatics shall be employed that
would be a long step toward bringing
about the desired result.
.sAs it stands, I am in favor of the
importation of limited number of Chi
nese for limited time TO work as agri-
cultural laborers."
John F. Bowler gave sensible, far
presentation of the situation. He IA
vored contract system in the Islands.
1t was the only way in which the sugar
plantations could be made successful
producers. At present the plantation
managers were slaves TO the japanese
laborers The latter were independent
and the least pressure put upon them
by the manager resulted in their quit
ting. The lack of necessary laborers
had resulted in the plantations cutting
off their dividends. Before annexation
when some authority could be exercised
over the japanese they worked to the
extent that more than fifty per cent
more was accomplished. Their efficien-
cy had fallen off fifty per cent, despite
the fact that wages had been raised
Mr.. Bowler favored a limited importa-
ton of Chinese, and thought this would
either send back from the cities thou
sands of japanese or compel them to
return to Japan.
A vote of thanks was rendered Miss
Conan by the Exchange for her ad-
dress.