The Hawaiian gazette. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu, Hawaii]) 1865-1918, 1909-01-01


for higher wages is not inaugurated on
chauvinistic principles. The motive for
the movement is primarily, of course,
for the improvement and uplifting of
the laboring class of Hawaii. But the
real welfare and the realization of
higher principle of American ideal UNI
derlie the movement. We want to bet
ter the lot of the working hands of
Hawaii, and enable them to lead a
decent, respectable life, worthy as the
subjects of the country of the Rising
Sun and as the members of the free
community governed by the principles
of justice and manhood independence.
In word, we want to give to Hawaii
"middle class of substantial citi.
zens.' How can laborer with sixty
nine cents day decently support him
self, his wife and his children? Men
without substance are rather dangerous
to the community, of which they are
a part So much for the spiritual phase
of our movement.
Now, turning our attention to the
material side of the movement, We be-
lieve that our movement deserves
hearty support of the white merchants.
The Japanese are being paid at the
rate of eighteen dollars per month of
twenty-six working days. 1t goes with
out saying that no laborer can work out
full twenty-six working days through.
out each of the twelve months of
year. The average number of working
DAYS of the best work RS is twenty or
twenty-one a month. Therefore, their
income will not exceed thirteen dollars
or fourteen dollars a month. But TAX
ing, for the sake of convenience, the
laborers' income at eighteen dollars per
month, and taking roughly the number
of the japanese hands at 10000 the
entire annual income of $6,4s0,000. Out
of this sum, the latest statistics show
that 100000 is sent to Japan through
the local Yokohama Specie Bank, and
$780, through the postal service, and
the average import frsm japan to Jap
anese goods is 81 100000 per year. The
grand total of money going to Japan
is $4,O1O,OOO, leaving $2,47o,ooo. This
two million and half is either de-
posted in bank, paid in rent, invested
in business, or spent in consuming
American goods, all of which going to
helm the economic welfare of Hawaii
and its industries. We are informed
| by responsible Japanese merchants that
seventy per cent. of goods consumed by
the Japanese plantation hands are OF
American products and that only thirty
per cent. are japanese. We believe
the statement is true. 1t is patent
fact that Japanese children are all
clothed in American dress, and they
| wear American hats and GO about with
American shoes on. So with most OF
! the men, both in town and in planta
tions. And most of the japanese wo
men wear holokus made of American
cloth. Laborers use sake, of course, but
they also use large quantities of beer
whiskey and wines. The cooking uten
sils are almost of American make; thu
canned goods, milk, -four and kerosen
oil used by the japanese are also o
American products. Thus the Japanes
are spending something like forty pc
cent. of their total income in America
goods or in building up Hawaii's bus
ness and trade.
Should the wages be increased to tn
minimum of the Higher Wages Assoeii
ton s demand, namely, $500 per mont
the increased annual income of the plai
tation hands will be $l,s00,000. I'll
increased income will, of course,
: some extent, go to swell the impo
of Japanese goods and the sum sent
Japan. But the nature of the Japai.e
is such that they prefer the America
u to the Japanese goods, aud as they a
showing the tendency of remainii
here and make Hawaii their home
greater proportion than forty per cor
. of the increased income will be spe
1 in American goods. If forty per cen
i. e., the present proportion of the
l increased income be spent in Americi
goods, it means $4,000 more trade f
. | the Ameri--- merchants, in piece gOoC