Evening bulletin. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu, Hawaii]) 1895-1912, 1912-02-28
WHAT KEPFE
SAYSOF HAWAII
Reference to Labor Conditions
In Annual Report to
Secretary.

Z
Secretary Of Commerce and Labor
makes the following reference to Ha-
wall:
Another phase of stimulated and in
duced immigration which has engaged
my very particular attention during
the past year arises out of the peCu
liar situation concerning labor In the
Hawaiian Islands. For many years
there have been two demands going
mp from that island Territory, some
times distinct and sometimes merging
in'o each other, viz. % for tho intro
ductiOn of white settlers aud iaborers
with the idea of Amerlcanizing the ISL
ands. and t2J for the introduction of
cheap labor, American or European If
possible, but cheap labor OF some kind
in order that the principal industry OF
the Territory. the raising of sugar
may be carried OIL successfully"
Two Organiza ions in particular have
been engaged in these projects, viz,
the Territorial Board of Immigration,
Il body organized under an act OF the
Legislature to stimulate Immigration
IN accordance with Section & of I he
Federal immigration statute. allowing
Territories to encourage the settle
mcnt therein of Foreigners, and the
Hawaiian Sugar Planters Association
Ii December, 1910, acting under
your Instructions ! made visit to
| The Hawaiian Islands for the purpose
OF conducting some Investigations a.
first hand regarding certain allegations
ana complaints which had come be-
fore the Department with respect to
the Importation Of laborers. their
treatment after Importation, and allied
subjects. Under date of January 25,
1911. I submitted to YOU detailed re-
port supported by various exhibits;
nut It seems proper TO recite here, In
very brief form the conclusions ut
which arrived with regard to tue
more important questions covered by
my Investigation. Thst Investigation.
may add was conducted with an eye
single - the procurement Of facts con-
corning the importation Cf laborers
the wages naid, and the conditions OF
| liie offered in the ISLANDS.
The sugar planters are either insln-
cere In their declared desire to Amer
icanize the islands or else their efforts
are at cross-purposes with their am
bttion. " the people Of Hawaii and
the sugar planters in particular, wish
10 bring the islands up to the actual
Standard Of an American Territory
some substantial inducement must be
offered to labor, for both field and mill
work, in the way Of increased wages
and better wording conditions. Wage
should not, of course, he increased be-
yond point where the business of
raising sugar can be conducted prof
itably; but II Is evident that Il con-
siderable increase can be made and
the planter still receive q good return
on his Investment, The standards OF
living Of the American, and of the Eu-
ropean also, are very much higher
than those of the Oriental, the Porto
Rican, or the Filipino.
This difference between what is re-
. CURED to content the American as dis
tinguished from the other laborers
mentioned has of itself strong ten
dency to set so low standard OF
wages and living as to discourage the
Americanization or>the islands. | am
satisfied that 10 extensive beneficial
results will flow from the work of the
Territorial Immigration Board until 1t
receives cooperation OF such a kind
and degree from the employers of la
Dor us well make it worth while for
the European induced by the Board to
come to the Islands to remain there.
This Is proved by the fact that many
of the Spaniards, Portuguese, and
Russians who heretofore have been
imported by the Board under the en-
ceptiOn To the Federal statute have
remained on the islands only a very
short time, some of them only long
enough to obtain funds from relatives
abroad or friends on the mainland
with which to make the comparatively
short voyage 10 San Francisco whore
better wages and living conditions
await them.
The Bureaus attitude with respect
to the importation Of aliens for set ,le-
ment in the Territory Is this: so long
as care is exercised in the selection
of the people and they are morally,
mentally, and physically fit to enter
under the law, there Is no objection