The Hawaiian star. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu]) 1893-1912, 1911-05-16
HIGH PRAISE
Continued from page one)

OSCausS IL is more securely eSJaD-
lished. The property holdings Of
these races have increased much
more rapidly than the population
Their competition has extended to a
greater variety of occupations and is
backed by larger and more varied
resources, both of skill and capital
On the other hand, this population is
less shifting, has a rising standard Of
living, is more exigent for higher
wages and better terms of employ
ment than formerly The oriental
population promises by natural in
crease far to outstrip all other ele-
ments Of the population, and upon
this increase immigration restric-
tions are not likely to have deter
mining effect. Some unpredictable
change in population movements may
reverse present tendencies, and the
next decennial census may show a
smaller number of orientals than at
present. But up to date there is no
indication of such a change. The
smaller proportion of japanese work
ing on plantations is about compen-
sated by the increase of Filipinos,
and it will take a series of years
until the field of employment sought
by the Hawaiian-born oriental popu-
lation that will within few years
reach working age is acertained-to
settle the probable constitution of
the future plantation force.
Seeking Caucasians.
Meantime a bona fide effort Is
being made by the Territorial gov
ernment, backed by the large en-
ploying interests, to settle a larger
proportion of Caucasian workers and
settlers in Hawaii. 1t is doubtful #
any large industry upon the mainland
has in the past been willing to dis
regard the economic demand for
cheap labor, in consideration of what
are at least partly civic motives in
securing more costly labor, to the
same extent as have the Hawaiian
planters They are willing without
reserve to employ all Caucasian
workers the Government can bring
to the islands, at wage one-third
larger than they pay for nearly as
efficient labor brought from Asia.
Little progress has been made in
settling American farmers in Hawaii.
Recent changes in the land laws may
remedy this to some extent The
Territory is now providing for a pub
lie marketing department, to handle
produce and promote markets for
small farmers"
One section of the report is de-
voted to a discussion of plantation
laborers, with comparison of their
condition with that of other coun-
tries. The following conclusion is
reached:
Even a person cautious in gener-
alizing would conclude, did his actual
cover a large field, that
the condition of plantation workers
in Hawaii is probably better than in
any other tropical country in the
world where colored races are en-
ployed; and from purely economic
better than in any insular
tropical country inhabited by white
people. On the other hand, the con-
dition of these workers will not stand
comparison with that of large classes
of workers in the white labor coun-
tries of the Temperate Zone"
Personal Liberty Protected.
Flatly contradicting recently pub
lished statements to the effect that
or peonage existed on Ha-
waiian plantations, the report of the
Commissioner of Labor asserts that
the personal liberty of the Hawaiian
laborer is as fully guaranteed there
as anywhere in the United States.
On this subject the report says:
Doubtless some managers and
overseers would like to see the old
conditions re-established and are
coerced by changing legislation and
public opinion to adopt new methods
while still in their hearts cherishirg
the spirit of the old regime. Prob
ably also laborers were In individual
instances better off under the severe
discipline of the contract system
than they are under their present
'reedom, which leaves them victims
o their own shiftlessness and vices.
But no unbiased observer would
question that the mass of working
people on Hawaii plantations are
low better off than ever before.
Their wages are larger, their hous.
ng better their standard of living
higher, their opportunities for ad-