Honolulu star-bulletin. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu, Hawaii]) 1912-2010, 1913-01-23
THE LABOR QUESTION.

Editor Honolulu Star-Bulletin,
Sir:-What is the prospect of the
sugar cane industry at the present
time? This is a vital question to the
people of Hawaii. Still, there is not a
man to be found who can answer it
with any degree of certainty.
|, however, have found one man
than whom no one is better posted in
the financial. industrial, economic. and
labor conditions of this industry. who
has some very positive opinions on
this subject, which are worthy of con-
sideration. This man has sold out all
of his large interest in many of the
sugar plantations, not, he affirms, be-
cause he fears the low price of sugar,
or even the tariff tinkerers, but pure
! ly on account of the labor question.
He affirms that in his opinion this
trouble must come sooner or later.
He gives as his reason for this idea
the unsettled state and the revolution
airy ideas of the laborers all over the
world, but more especially the scare
| ity of laborers that is bound to be felt
here. =
/ Now there seems to be some foun-
dalton for this opinion to those who
see the many able-bodied men that
leave for the Coast by almost every
steamer, hoping to do better there
These laborers are of all nationalities
and some of them seem to be but re-
Gently brought here at great expense.
They are leaving in great numbers
Notwithstanding the fact that they
have better homes, higher wages, and
a bonus at the end of the year. They
are going in spite of the fact that ev-
cry argument that ingenuity cap de-
wise, or self-interest can suggest, or
of any inducements that can be offer
ed them. They are oblivious of the
fact that hundreds have found to
their sorrow and to their cost that
this is a delusion and that there are
shiploads of men who would gladly get
back here if they were not ashamed
to come, or had the means 10 get back.
What further means, one would ask,
can be used to stop this exodus of
these menu. One, and only one. so far
as i have been able to find, or suggest,
and that Is to give the laborers shares
In the plantation on which they are
working, or fraction, of share. as
the case may be, and which is not
transferable For instance, $3.50, 900
has been paid to these men during the
past year as bonuses; and had this
amount of money been given to them
in the. form of shares in the planta-
ton on which they are working, it is
safe to say that but few Of them would
have gone away, .r -. -,
These shares would only be of value
to them so long as they, or their fam
flies, remained on the plantation! ~ :.
Another suggestion has been made
that these men be encouraged to buy
shares in the plantation, and by this
means it is thought they will take
greater interest in the plantation, and
do much more work.
It has also been suggested that
someone be sent to the Coast to en-
gage those men who, it is stated, are
only too willing to come back. 1t is
thought at this time of year, many
men are out of work and are suffering
with cold and hunger and would glad
ly return If they could.
1t would cost but little to prove this,
as there is a man here. who would be
willing to undertake this work with
out salary.
Yours very truly,
GEO, OSBORNE,