The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1885-1921, 1908-10-22
THE WAGES QUESTION FROM
A JAPANESE STANDPOINT

Editor Advertiser.-Although it has
not been known well to the planters
there has been a tendency among the
japanese laborers on the plantations
that the laborers feel themselves that
their present wages for field hands are
not sufficient enough to meet the cost
of living. They, therefore, are general
ly discounted with the present condition,
and seem to desire to have the wages
raised to the certain amount. The rea-
sons for the above are, according to
the various creditable sources, as fol
low:
"a The mode of life having made
great change recently in the Japan
csc community in Hawaiian islands, the
majoyity of the Japanese on the plan
tations have shown the indication that
they desire or prefer to settle in Ha-
waii, rather than to hurry back to Yo-
kohama with small amount of savings;
and naturally they tend to assimilate
to the social and economic enforcement
of the general community of Hawaii
Thus they become dnconsciously to
spend money more Literally for their
better foods, clothings and amusements.
(2) There is a tendency, among the
plantation laborers, that the spirit of
hOmemaking in this country having
been greatly encouraged, many bride
are being called over here by every
steamer from Japan, in order to join
the grooms who are working ON the
plantations. The peaceful invasion of
the pretty brides from the Sun Rising
Kingdom to Hawaii means the increase
of the new home in Hawaii, not only
among the japanese alone, but also
among the general community of Ha-
wall. Still, the increase Of the new
home among the Japanese laberers on
the plantation means the increase of
among the laborers tends naturally to-
increase the heavy burden upon the
shoulders of che fathers to support the
big family, They need not only to sup
port their family, but also they need to
educate their growing children. In case
of the man and wife to whom no child
is born, and both the man and wife are
strong enough to work, it may not be
very hard for them to save something.
But how can the man save anything,
when he has four or five children, from
the poor income of only $500 per
month, working ten hours every day,
rain or shine? If he gets sick and lay
down for a couple day, the amount of the
wages which he would receive would
be only $1,000. Of this scanty amount
of income the expense to cover the
price of provisions, clothings, school
books and pencils and papers for the
children, must be deduced How can
he save money? Still, how can he main
tain his dignity as 8uman being? Even
a horse needs $500 per month to be
kept in a stable.
(3) The price of the japanese food,
on which most of the japanese laborers
would depend, has risen up 80 to so
per cent, since the Russo-Japanese war,
and naturally the cost of living of the
labofers in this country has been great
ly affected. The purchasing power of
every dollar which the japanese 1aborer
holds, therefore, has been decreased so
that Is dollors are not worth as much
as Is dollors of three or four years ago.
The price goes up, but the wages re-
main the same. Thus it is the natural
result that oftentimes many a laborer
failed to clear up what they owe to the
retail stores on the plantations. If
they pay up all what they owe to the
merchants. they can hardly have any
thing in their pockets. Then, logically,
they begin to think, what for they came
to Hawaii; if they came for the better
living and saving, why should they
not to find out the way to earn more
income9 Thus they conclude that they
must demand of the employers to raise
the present wages.
(4) The remuneration of the labor
or service must be paid out according
to the quantity and quality of the la
borer, and, of course, there should not
be any prejudice or Partially on the