The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1885-1921, 1909-08-28
AUSTRALIA LEADS
IN LEGISLATION
Labor Commissioner Weinst0ek
Tells of Condition of the
Working Man.

Landing IN HaWan is like Teacn.
ing an oasis in the desert of financial
depression" said Harris Weinstock of
San Francisco yesterday. Mr.. Vein
stock arrived on the Chfyo Maru from
the Orient, being on the homestretch
of a tour around the world.
A year and half ago, commission
ed by Governor Gillett, of California,
to study labor conditions throughout
the world, Mr.. Weinstock left San
Francisco. Since then he has visited
all Of the countries of Europe, has
been in Palestine, India, China and
Japan, and also in Australia and New
Zealand.
ffIn one way, visit to Europe
spoils an American continued Mr..
Weinstock. HHe becomes more than
ever impressed with the Importance Of
ance. America is an enormous factor
in the financial affairs of the whole
world.
'In Italy found shopkeepers doing
fifty per cent. less business than dur
ing the preceding year. I asked the
reason, and was informed that the
financial depression in America was
responsible. The merchants told me
that the American tourists, upon whom
they depend for their most profitable
trade, were staying at home.
"In England [ found the greatest
interest exhibited in the Presidential
election, which was, at that time, still
in the future. Men of affairs were in
tensely interested in the outcome, and
were feverishly ANXIOUS to have Taft
elected. They said that Bryan IS cleo
ton would mean unrest in America,
while Taft's election would mean a
period of renewed financial prosperity.
"Australia and New Zealand were
mourning the falling off of their wool
trade. The United States is their
greatest market, and with the financial
depression came a reduction in the
orders for wool. Naturally, this was
followed by fall in prices.
TN Japan, ] found exporters mourn
ing the loss to their silk trade. They
depend upon the United States for
their most profitable trade, and the
reduction in the size and number of
orders was greatly felt
The Worlds Customer.
In fact, the United States is the
worlds greatest customer, and when
the customer is financially sick, the
world is sick also.
CATER passing through the midst
of all this adversely, to strike this
little place, enjoying prosperity such
surprise as grateful as it was unex-
pected
cone year and half ago left San
Francisco to study labor conditions in
the principal industrial centers of the
world In Europe, I found labor con-
ditions in a hopeless middle They are
searching for remedies for the fearful
strikes and lockouts which have upset
industrial peace. In France the con-
ditions are particularly bad.
cone reason for this, is the growth
of the Socialist movement, which has
preached the sudden strike as means
of gaining its ends. The government
is forced to deal with the situation
gently, as the socialism is of a poll
teal brand which may cause serious
trouble at any time.
Russia Has Solution.
"In Russia they have solved the
labor problem; but they have solved
it in a manner which I hope no other
country will ever try. IF labor organi-
cations hold meetings, their members
are liable to be sent to Siberia. No
Continued on Page Three.)