Honolulu star-bulletin. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu, Hawaii]) 1912-2010, 1915-03-09
HAWAII PLANTERS JOINDEhAND
FOR Investigation OF MILLS


small producer of sugar cane in these
islands is unable to assert himself
where his interests conflict with the
wealthy and corporate interests to
which he must sell his produce.
The pamphlet is termed The Real
Issue in Hawaii" It sums up every
thing in the following:
1.-THE average price received for Ha-
waiian sugar during the past 90 years
is $50 per ton. According to the basis
Of settlement at. present decreed by
the corporation sugar interests, the
small producer win be paid $9S for
sufficient cane to produce ton of
sugar The cost of the plantations of
manufacturing this cane into sugar is
$40. This $50 includes all mill and
plantation charges, depreciation, agen.
cy fees and freight to market. This
makes the cost to a plantation Of q
ton OF sugar made from cane of
small grower total S5S, for which the
plantation receives $50 or profit of
so per ton. These so goes to pay
dividends and interest on bonds. and
has been in the past sufficient to pay
such dividends that per cent per
month on total capital Is not an un-
common rate for Hawaiian corpora
tons.
I'm parts Of Australia sugar mills
are built by the government and So
operated as to ensure the prosperity Of
the small producers. Conditions in
Hawaii can be adjusted to the salts
faction Of ali concerned without re-
sorting TO the expedient of government
mills. IN view. OF the fact that the
present capifalistic operation of the
sugar industry Is very efficient so far
as the organization OF the industry is
concerned II would be unwise to take
steps ia cripple an organization which
Is capable Of efficient service. Easily
workable methods whereby the inter
ests Of the small grower Of cane can
the government without resorting to
the revolutionary methods of the gov
eminent ownership Of mills. Several
measures are necessary.
sFirst. the poIiey of the United
states department of agriculture
should be amended in such a way that
its efforts through the Hawaii expert
nent station shall give the assistance
to the small cane grower which his
relative importance to the community
deserve. The College OF Hawaii
should cooperate in this matter. The
territorial government should make ar.
rangements whereby the great body of
knowledge relative to the production
81 sugar cane possessed by the Ha.
vail sugar planters, experiment sta.
fion ehall be not only made available
10 the small producer of cane but
shall he carried to him.
esecond. 4 thorough investigation
should be made OF the present status
Of the small cane grower to deter.
mine All the reasons for the present
notorious condition OF poverty prevail
inp among these people. This investi.
cation should. Of course. be carried on
nv competent officials OF unbiased
viewpoint and alliance. and with ade-
anate movers to secure evidence.
aTl,ird the government cane land
should he 50 Administered as to fur.
ther the interests Of the independent
cane grower. This can be done in the
foIlnwine wavs:
afal I eases If government land to
nlanfat3ons sbonld contain clause
s,bsrebv the lessee agrees tn submit
ne deai;nps With small nroducers to-
~. ,rsrsiel,t ard rae1lation ~ either
n,blie utilities commission or some