The Hawaiian star. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu]) 1893-1912, 1912-02-13

GONeTuOT fTedI, III MS reply 10 tue
charge of Delegate Kuhio Kalanian-
aole, begins with the general accusa-
ton for which Ray Stannard Baker is
quoted as a true witness, that he fav-
ors the plantation interests. He
says:
Il must confess that am neither
socialist nor an anarchist, and that
believe in constructive rather than de-
structive policies, and I hope that
am not going too far in saying that
my administration has been known in
Hawaii at least not as reactionary or
retrogressive, but as peculiarly con
structive and progressive. No one
realizes more than l that industrial
and social conditions In Hawaii are
far from perfect; no one is more earn.
est than | in endeavoring to correct
these conditions; nor has anyone
greater faith that they can be correct.
ed But that any one man can bring
about Utopian conditions in a few
years is feat that l do not pretend
to be able to accomplish feat. in
deed, that has not been accomplished
In the ninety years since civilization
obtained footing in Hawaii, and has
not been accomplished in far longer
periods in other countries under more
favorable conditions. l have given
myself unreservedly to this work dav
and night. My method has been that
of investigation and logical action
based thereon. l have opposed spe.
clal interests whether large or small
without discrimination where their
desires seemed to conflict with the
public interests, and have found il
more difficult to oppose the small than
the large ones. The interests, fear.
do not agree with the complainant
that | have been too friendly toward
them Much progress has been made
but upon this complainant is silent.
The portion of this reply that !.
directed to the general charges is
made necessary b.O the nature of The
charges and the request that they be
replied to. For this reason am com
PEELED to speak more personally O
myself and of my work than | woul.
otherwise feel justified in doing
While in most cases Of legislation re
ferred to herein, the bills have eithcI
been drafted by me or by others a
my request and revised by me, | do no
wish to assum more than my shar,
Of credit for the good work that ma
been accomplished. ! have receive
able assistance from many others
Too much credit cannot be given tn,
legislature itself for most commenda
bic and gratifying readiness to sun
port good measures and reject ba,
ones, Moreover, many other splendI,
things, not here referred to, have BEEF
accomplished in and out of the legis
lature for which l am entitled to it'll
or no credit.
i will take up first the land ques
ton, setting forth briefly some of tn
difficulties and my endeayors to over
come them; next, the part | hav
taken in the closely related matters @
immigration and the conservation an
development of natural resources
then transportation matters; mex
other matters, with view to shown
the constructive and progressive cha,
acter Of my administration generally
and, finally, the specification of tn
complaint
Public Lands.
Public lands and land laws in Hi
waii cannot be thought of in ways fl
miliar on the mainland The admin
tration of these lands and laws teen
with difficulties. demonstrating, a
though the most important, is on
Il one of the problems"
! The Governor tells of some of Il
difficulties of land legislation and a
ministration in these islands, owir
to ancient customs and the mountai
- Gus topography, etc, and proceeds
"The prime factor in the homestei
problem in Hawaii is the smallne
Of the area available for that purpos
" The first essential, therefore, is Il
- conservation of the available publ
land for genuine demonstrating. Su,
y land should neither be put beyol
= availability for that purpose by Il
u disposition of large areas for 9th