The Hawaiian gazette. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu, Hawaii]) 1865-1918, 1905-11-07
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CONFERENCE SPEAKERS

teresting paper on the Labor Question
in Hawaii at the Mohonk Conference:
Time was when the labor question
was not a disturbing one,-when the
demands were slight and the remunera-
tion tempted the native by enabling
him to procure the new things that
were introduced to attract his trade.
As new opportunities developed for
using the fertile fields and rich valleys
for the production of world de-
manded product, came the call for a
larger number of workers.
In the early years of the sugar in
dustry the Hawaiian was willing con-
tributor of his labor,-not only the
men, but the women, also. The labor
ers were well cared for and labor
unions and labor agitators were not
thought of.
In those days no one anticipated that
the feeble industry would ever attain
to its present enormous proportions and
become the chief source of the wealth
of Hawaii.
When the first real sugar plantation
of Hawaii was started at Koloa,
"Great Cane,'' on the Island of Kauai
in 1885, it was under great difficulties.
Not yoke of broken cattle could be
found to draw the plough, and string
of men had to be utilized to break the
sod. But under the genial and gentle
management of Mr.. Hooper, of the firm
of Ladd & Co., of Honolulu, all diff
culties were overcome and a crop was
harvested. 1t was on this plantation
that ] was for time practical work
er and overseer.
Now, with the steam plough, chemi-
cal analysis of soils, and centrifugal
machine, irrigation canals and all the
Hawaii stands among the foremost
producers of sugar in the world.
AS the number of plantations in
creased, the demand for laborers also
largely increased, and the Hawaiian
did not respond to the call. The gen.
eral climate of Hawaii is as near per-
lection for the ease and comfort of life
as is to be found in the world. Hence
the Hawaiian is not naturally inclined
to work hard When he can combine
work and play he is ready to enter in.
He loves the excitement of cowboy
life and driver of cattle,-he makes a
good sailor, and is ever ready along the
wharves TO load and unload cargoes,
but when that is done he wants his
pay, and quickly seeks his pleasure in
the spending.
His Discrimination for continuous
work in the fields is not unnatural.
Nature has provided literally for his
needs. Moreover, aside from his disin-
clination to work, the Hawaiians are
decreasing rapidly in numbers and his
labor if given would be insufficient to
meet the immediate demand.
The absolute necessity for labor com
PEELED the planters to look abroad fol-
help. A colony was brought from the
Portuguese Islands which proved a
substantial addition. Their descend
ents are still on the islands happy
industrious part of the population
The King himself, in his tour around
the world, announced his purpose to be
in favor of immigration.
The next importation of some thou
sand Chinese, was necessary to meet
the demand for labor caused by the
passage of a reciprocal trade measure
with the United States, which gave
great impetus to sugar cultivation
The importation of the Chinese was
generally satisfactory to all parties,-
| it was never abused into conditions OF
peonage or slavery, and continued until
the annexation of the islands to the
United States.
Hawaii, on coming under the laws of
the United States, found the Chinese
exclusion law came into force, and
what was claimed to help the labor of
| 10 lifornio provad n uraat letrimpnt IN
| Hawaiian interests.
The shutting out of the Chinese com
PEELED the planters to turn to Japan
for help, and somewhat over $1,000 OF
that people are now in the Islands,
nearly one-half of the entire popula
ton. The largest colony of the Japa
nese in any foreign country, is that in
the little Territory of Hawaii. There
are those who feel that it would be un
wise to increase further this already
large number of Japanese, elated ant
self-confident over the success of the
late war. Who can foresee the rela
lions which may govern the futur,
! trade of the Pacifici
! 1t may be asked, did not the peopl,
and planters of Hawaii realize thu
probable effect of the exclusion law
when they sought annexation. Mos
certainly they did, but annexation wal
of paramount Importance, since it CAV,
to the Islands all the territorial rights
of the United States, n stable govern
ment, the protection of the flag and al
it represented, and the people knew
the great price they would have to pa.
for all they desired, and most willingl,
paid it.
Still, they hoped that more en-
lightened labor policy would supplan
that of the "sand lot" demagogue o
San Francisco, and that equal right
and privileges would be accorded I
, every stranger who came knocking a
, our door, and that no one worthy to ell
ter would longer be kept out. No e,
clusion of one people when all Other
were received.
. Most of the investors, who hav
a brought this chief industry to til
prominence it now holds, are tr
children of the missionaries and the
= connections, born on the Islands an
a eager for the best interest of the
q birthland They have devoted the
? lives to the good of the people, and n,