The Hawaiian gazette. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu, Hawaii]) 1865-1918, 1909-11-16
Representative and Responsible
Japanese Present a
Resolution.
JAPANESE WAGE QUESTION
Matter of Wide Importance to
the Industrial Welfare of
the Islands.
From SATURDAYS Advertlserl

From SATURDAYS Advertlser.l
The question of increasing the wages
of the Japanese plantation laborers
will, it is saidy be one of the most in
teresting to be discussed at the coming
meeting Of the planters association.
said to have informed the editors of
the japanese newspapers that the reso-
lutions adopted recently by the Japa-
nese editors in regard to plantation
wages will be carefully considered by
the planters, and it is expected that
some definite action, probably along the
line of increasing wages, will be taken.
The japanese editors held a conven-
tion on October 10 at the residence of
S. Sheba, at which policy was formu-
lated in regard to laborers' wages, the
contract labor system, the higher wage
agitation and the general relations be-
tween plantations and plantation labor
ers. At that meeting the following
resolutions were adopted, being publish
ed in The Advertiser October IL:
We, the japanese representatives of
the japanese newspapers published in
each island within the Territory of ha-
wall, assembled in the City of Homo
lulu, pass, this day, the following reso
lutions in the hope of advancing the
interests of the Japanese laborers.
Therefore, be it
Resolver, That we believe, to our
regret, that the good reputation of our
cOuntrymen residing in the Territory
of Hawaii has been impaired through
the labor agitation caused and led by
few irresponsible men who styled
themselves the leaders of the Higher
Wage Association.
Resolved, That we denounce the ac-
tion of the Higher Wage Association
because, whereas, with tempting bait
of higher wages, they have collected
from laborers over 100000, that amount
being either spent in vain or improper
ly appropriated, and because they yet
engage agents on commission to col
ers under different pretenses.
Resolved, That we consider it un-
just and dishonorable to tax innocent
iabOrers on mere promises of good re-
turns which have not been fulfilled and
which will never materialize to the
benefit of the laborers. We further
condemn such actions as being nothing
less than pure fraud. Therefore,
be it
Resolved, That we, as publicists, and
true friends of the Japanese laborers,
denounce the action of the agitators
as most irresponsible and as detrimental
TO the good reputation and to the mate
rial prosperity of our laboring class as
unbecoming and undesirable actions for
japanese who reside in, and receive pro-
lection from, the United States of
America, with which Nation our EN-
pire is on most friendly terms. We
strongly protest against the methods of
the agitators as unbecoming to law
abiding citizens and dishonorable to the
name of the subjects of Japan. There
fore, be it
Resolved, That We will advise our
cOuntrymen against the dictates of the
agitators and will protect our labOrers
from the lawless demonstrations of
these people in order to restore the
well-earned good reputation of our
countrymen already imperiled by the
foolish agitation. We shall aspire to
restore the good feeling between the
laborers and the planters and to en-
cOurge the spirit of cooperation ana
Cancellation among all the races that
cOmmingle in harmony in the Para.
disc of the Pacific.
Resolved, That we are unanimous in
our sincere hope that the income OF
our laboring class will become larger
and as the best means of solution fol
the present labor question we will en-
courage contract work on the planta
tions. In its principle and actua
working this system is preferable fol
and most advantageous to our labor
ors. We believe that there ought tC
be proper and adequate remuneration
for efficient performance of work anC
that contract work best suits the Jap
anese laborers. We, as a body, shal
encourage the contract system anC
work for the perfection of that system
Resolved, That we viii encourage
contract work among our cOuntrymeI
nd sincerely hope that the planters
II cooperate with us in giving on
Jntract work TO the japanese labor
ers as far as practicable and in bette
terms than hitherto existing, 80 tha
the contractors will receive an ade
quate return for their work.
Resolved, That We, as body, be
lieye that all contract agreement
should be made In written form wit
uroper japanese Transitions attached
30 that there can be no misundersland
ing arise between contractors and th
planters In regard 10 price, weight o
other conditions We believe that th
Fplrii ut Trust based upon o thoruug
muiuul understanding 10 essential ~
lhe performance Of good work, and b,
love that lubuuu aud employer
should honestly strive 10 deal slualtl
Win each other according 10 tho vii
irn terms NJ che agreement ollofo
upon
hr1olpti, That be- iu thotc gho ai
rmhuYrd Iu Ia work that pHu uHt d