The Hawaiian gazette. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu, Hawaii]) 1865-1918, 1908-01-24

sugar industry.
1t was not so long ago that the
sugar trust sent man out 10 these
Islands 20 investigate conditions and
il was reported as a result that we
could not produce more than $4,000
tons OF sugar per year. but now we
are doing three times as much in SUI
gar production as We were given credit
for
As an illustration OF how far wrong
such predictions may be. we can refer
20 the preseet condition OF the sisal
and pineapple industries. and rubber.
too. and lumber. SiSal and pineapples
are speaking eloQuently for themselves.
The wiseSt man may prove TO be a
fool when II comes 20 making predic-
tons. This Territory is more prosper
Gus now than We ever thought we
would be. Why. lumber was thought
nothing OF here. IL never was believed
/ that we could get anything out OF lum-
Der. but now consider what is being
done in regard TO lumber alone; II
promises 10 be most profitable and
a great industry. There was time
when il was thought there was prac-
.
with the exception OF koa, but the
company which has now taken up the
business on a large scale is finding
that there is probably most 20 be made
out OF wood which heretofore was
considered good for nothing but fire
wood.
The question OF small farming, of
diversified industries. and the question
OF the labor for such, are matters
which are too generally looked upon
as capable OF solution only through
sacrifice 10 the sugar plantations, and
Yet il might prove economically sound
10 solve such questions. The problem
Of bringing 10 this Territory a desir-
able citizen labor class might well be
solved without sacrifice to our chief
industry.
Il am not prepared 10 say but what
the sugar industry will come 10 a
speedy necessity OF further consider
ing important changes in methods of
securing labor and OF seriously con-
sidering the population problem.
What If japanese immigration to
Hawaii is stopped, as it was this morn
ing reported that it would be? 1 hope
that the report may prove to be
wrong. If such immigration is entire
" stopped. where will the sugar in
dustry be?
But, as il is, there are large num-
bers of japanese leaving the sugar
plantations 10 go into business for
themselves. Some plantations have
adopted the plan of giving |
lands and houses TO their employees in /
order TO tie down their labor and in I
some cases there are government in
ducements to labor settling, but not |
on the scale that should be.
1t would appear that there is 60 /
ing 10 be little competition from the |
Coast for labor, but it must not be 4
lost sight of that the numerous small I
but growing industries are going to 4
with the sugar business for .
the supply of labor and ii may be that I
the sugar planters will find it neces-
sary 10 devise some means for parcel
ling out the sugar lands to small pro-
and perhaps not without con-
siderable profit TO the sugar planters.
Already have the sugar planters
taken steps toward a realization OF
this idea, for in numerous cases cane
IS being planted on contracts and some
are giving land in fee sim
pie to their laborers and so holding
them In this way laborers are tied to
the land, because they have homes of
heir own and their best interests are
here and so many can make a better
living on their own little pieces of Z
and Holding their own small lands !
hey are able TO make more money
han they would be able to make out ;
If the plantations alone and this ex-
IA money does not come out of the
pockets of. the planters, but out OF the
,rOund wherein the Iaborers can plant
hings besides cane.
When the time comes that there is
n established element of good citizen
abor, with land holdings of its own,
With home interests, the plantations
viii not be obliged to maintain large
orces Of labor when they do not need
abOr, merely for the purpose of re-
aiming it, of not losing il, but they
7ill be able 10 employ the labor when
hey need it and will not have to en-
10y it when they do not need it: and j
will be there, ready TO be called up {
n, when needed. At least one plan :
alton has already profted by this !
Ian
The floating class of labor is infe- >
Tor in point OF health, as we'll as in c
Their regards and those who are en- :
outraged by small holdings of land ?
'hich they themselves can develop !:
re better and more willing and :
salthier laborers-
The greatest Of the difficulties to J
2 considered in bringing small set Y
ers to the Islands is the amount of :
apital required by a small farmer for
i'm to make a start He has to pay
ign for the land in the first place Y
nd then it takes a long time, with
agar, for the first crop and the first 4
9turns- The settler cannot go out on :
nd here as he would go out OF.
rairie; IL takes considerable to get
S first crop started here
1t is q regular part OF the banking 4
1siness on the mainland to assist
and banks make a BUSH
sss Of carrying the farmers. Such I
ethods should become more common
ere among banks and even among the b
lgsr agencies. -
In time capital will accumulate :
Ere and it will probably to a large
1tent seek investment in the assist
ice OF small farmers, or il should. F
1lusction with the NeE York money