Evening bulletin. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu, Hawaii]) 1895-1912, 1908-01-22

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to happen Within "a short time, but |
before branding me as visionary It
would be well tb, Consider the reports
which were made some time ago with
regard to the sugar industry.
He then went on to remind his
hearers of the fact that it had been
said that time that oahu might be
producing 5000 tons and EVA 5000
tons, while the present showed how
far these estimates had been in the
wrong. Sisal and pineapples had al
so shown how far predictions about
them had been wrong. The wisest
was foolish when he was predicting
about the future. There was a time
when 1t was thought that there was
no lumber here with the exception
of koa, but the company which had
now taken up the industry had found
that it was doing its largest business
with a wood which had been consid-
cred good only FOR ircwood
In the first place, in regard to the
sugar industry it was generally look
ed upon as a question which could
be solved only at sacrifice Still it
might prove to be economically
sound to solve It. If japanese i'm
migration We're stopped, as It had
Teen reported would be the case,
though the speaker hoped that this
report might prove to be wrong, then
where would the sugar industry be?
II looked as If there was not going
TO be much more competition from the
Coast for labor, but the other indus.
tries are going to compete with the
sugar planters for the labor supply
1t might be that the sugar industry
must find some way to parcel out its
lands to small proprietors, and still
this might be found to be profitable.
The sugar planters had already taken
steps in this direction Cane was be.
Ing planted on contracts, and some
plantations were giving land in fee
simple to their labOrCrs in order to
hold them. Thereby the laborers
were anchored to the plantations. not
only because they had homes of their
own which they found 1t hard to leave,
but also because they were enabled
to make more money. and money
which did not come out of the planta-
tons When the time came when
there was a steady laboring class set.
tied on the Islands the plantations
would not be forced to keep a large
amount of labor on hand when they
did not need ii, merely for the purpose
of keeping it, but they would be able
to employ the labor only at such time
when they really needed it. One plan
tation had already prOfted by such a
system.
Second-We are apt to think of the
difficulties of filling the islands mp
with small settlers. The greatest
difficulty Is the amount of capital re-
CURED. The settler must. eXpend con
siderable money in the first place to
set shis crop Started. liz cannot gu
out as on the prairie. q
On The mainland bankers and trust
companies 1c,itaeVt tho assistance of
the small farmers. This should be-
come more common here among banks
and even sugar agencies" Capital will
accumulate here in time and It should
| seek investment in carrying small
farmers. Until that time comes It
may be that connection with the New
York money market may assist.
Third-The limited area Of the pub
lie lands and the necessity for being
assured of settlers being bona fide.
Sugar plantations may have to cut up
their lands as time goes on. For the
present, however, land suitable for
the small farmer Is very limited. The
difficulty is not so much with the sug-
ar planter as the small proprietor.
Small proprietors are likely 10 chafe
because land is not Immediately
thrown open. The Planters can be
talked to.
What has been the experience of
the past? ......... ...
We have law drawn with great
care and ability. Conditions have
changed since the law was drawn.
Many methods of taking up land are
provided. These the Governor re.
viewed in detail, outlining now land
may be taken by the settler and ar.
ter completing the title, turn it over
to Il sugar plantation.
Worst of all is the sediment as.
ISOLATION" said the Governor. Splen-