Honolulu star-bulletin. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu, Hawaii]) 1912-2010, 1916-06-17
JAPANESELABOR
ROW AT HONOKAA
Is UNCONFIRMED
Local Nipponese Community
Gets Reports That Strike
is Possible +.
PLANTATION AGENCY
HEARS NOTHING OF IT
Rumor That Refusal to Pay
Bonus Leads to Agitation is
Diseredited Here

Japanese laborers on Honokaa plan
tation, Hawaii, are SO dissatisfied
with wage payments that they are
about at the point of striking, accord
ing to definite reports in the Japanese
community here and published in the
Japanese press.
The reports are not only entirely
unconfirmed by the plantation agency,
F. A. Sehaefer & Company. but they
are by inference discredited Never
theless, the rumors are so insistent
that the Japanese press is comment
ing upon the situation editorially, and
"a translation .of Hawaii Hochi edi-
torial urges serious consideration of
a strike in order to gain the, point Of
the laborers.
Local japanese say that the laboT-
ers have sent statements Of their
grievances to the Japanese press.
This information is that Henokaa
plantation refused to pay the laborers
the increased wage decided upon, by
the Hawaiian Sugar Planters Associa-
ton, including the bonus increase.
The reason for the. refusal the lam
anese press says. is given By, the plan
tstion as its own depressed finances.
The company is credited in these re-
ports with having An Indebtedness Of
$4,000 at the present time and is said
to feel that Its prospects do not war
rant the wage increase.
'.All the Japanese 'laborers have now
decided to strike and are sending
their final notice to the plantation Of
flee that II they are not paid the wage
increase this morAh they win quit" !"
q local Japanese, who has been follow
ing the reports, said today.
The Hawaii Hochi published an edi.
torial last evening, translation OF
which is in part as follows:
It Is most unfair and unjust for
Honokaa plantation to act al It pleas.
es. ignoring the decision Of the Ha.
waiian Sugar Planters Association.
The trouble may be Strengthened by
the unification of the laborers of that
plantation and by making a strong
representation to the plantation. II
Is necessary for the Honokaa Japanese
to unite with strong determination,
and strike Is the only final action,
but this needs great consideration be-
fore any action Is taken.
We earnestly advise that the Jap
anese laborers Of Honokaa make
careful investigation to see If there
Is any plantation spy among their
number, and IL there is any, to eject
such a person before a declaration of
final action .7z
No information at Office.
]. w. Waldron, seen at his office
this morning, said that II there were
any labor trouble on Honokaa planta-
tion 1t was all news to him. He had
received a letter this morning, dated
June 10. from the plantation manager
which dik not say word on the sub.
ject 1t dealt with other matters of
and the general conduct
Of the plantation and is affairs, but
was absolutely silent on the subject
OF any wage increase demands or
threats Of strike. .: - -.
IF there were any labor trouble
there, " continued Waldron, 'I can not
conceive otherwise than that our m -.
ager would have notified me. / am
absolutely without any information
whatever upon the matters stated in
the editorial which you mention"