The Hawaiian star. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu]) 1893-1912, 1903-06-01
SARGENT TELLS
ALL ABOUT US
Continued from page nve.I

engagements for the prompt return TO
China of all delinquents found off the
plantations. Certain representatives,
of the labor unions have said to me
that they would be entirely satisfied
with such an arrangement but on the
whole the labor unions are opposed to
any further introduction of Chinese.
The labor unions, at the same time,
are fighting for the enactment of a
government regulation requiring all
work of a public character in the ISL
ands to be performed by either native
or white labor.
The labor situation in the Islands is
certainly serious. but the best l can do
is to report to my superior officer, upon
my return 10 Washington, a faithful
account of the result of my investiga-
tons"
labor the planters do not look upon
negroes as a good substitute for the
Asatic variety. Some of the planters
suggest that Chinese be brought into
the islands for limited periods Of three
or five years and be confined strictly
to labor in the fields. Labor union
people think such a plan impracticable
as the Cinnamon would in one way and
another escape from the fields and en-
ter into competition with the working
man.
Representative of the labor union
people spoke of how the Chinese before
exclusion had ruinOusly competed with
them. They also mentioned the ag-
gressive cOmpetaiOn they were now
encOuntering from the Japanese l
will digest all the facts l have gathered
and submit them to the Department of
Commerce together with such recon-
mendations as l may see fit to make"
The Call publishes this
II consulted with the representatives
of all the industries of Hawaii, includ-
ing the sugar cane planters, the store
keepers, artisans of every class, and in
fact, everybody who comes in contact
with labor. As to what conclusions l
arrived at from my investigation
would not like to say at this time, be-
fore / have had a chance to present
them in the form of a report to the
head of the department. | will state,
however, that the burden of complaint
in Hawaii is directed toward the Japa
nese and Chinese laborers
81 am satisfied that the immigration
from the Orient will rapidly increase
for the planters insist that the service
of the Orientals are absolutely requlr-
ed for the fields it being claimed by
the employers that white and native
laborers will not work steadily in the
field. Among the working classes the
claim is made that the Japanese and
Chinese are seriously menacing the
future welfare Of the white workmen.
Especially is this said to be the case
| with the Japanese, who have an adj
vantage over the Chinese, against
whom the exclusion act directly Oper-
ates. / was told by members of the
labor Organizations in Honolulu that
the latter do not object to Asiatics
working in the fields, but it is claimed
that after they have worked there for
a time the japanese in particular come
into the city and enter into competition
| with white labor and also with the
shopkeepers. 1t seems that the hack
men have found reason to complain on
the same grounds, for the Chinese and
| japanese have already established car
riage businesses and, so | was inform
! ed, have made their presence severely
! felt in this line of industry. Contrary
| to the expressions or opinion made TO
me by planters and other employers,
the working people think there is no
reason for an increased importation
of Asiatic labor They claim that If
the white and native labor is given a
fair show the announcement a Orien-
tai immigration will not be necessary.
l conferred with the Chamber of Com
merce and also attended meeting of the
labor unions for the purpose of getting
all the information possible on the sub
ject and 1 am taking back to Wash
ington a lot of data especial regarding
tn wage schedules in the islands and
fhA cost of products"