The Hawaiian gazette. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu, Hawaii]) 1865-1918, 1916-05-02
Prompt Consideration Of Propos-
ed Wage Increase PIeases
Laborers Of Territory
SOLUTION OF PROBLEM
1'. QUICKLY. IS SURPRISE
Workers Are Advised To Set
Themselves At Ease and Rely
Upon Growers Generosity

President Bottomley's announcement
in The Advertiser last week that the
Hawaiian Sugar Planters Association
would increase the pay of the planta-
ton laborers took the local Japanese
press greatly by, surprise. While this
press has been urging the increase In
pay as necessary It did not believe that
favorable results would be brought
as early as they did actually come.
The special meeting held last Satur'
dav on the subject by the planters was
also surprising to the Japanese press,
coming so soon on the heels of the an,
nounGemept made by the president OF
the association, even though the actual
amount of the raise to be granted has
not been made public.
The Japanese papers, especially the
local dailes have printed page upon
page Of editorials, inteTviews, small
talks and news stories on the subject,
the discussion of the subject taking
up much space. The one great sub
iect now under discussion by the Japa-
nese press is the question of the in
CREASE ia wages and what this increase
will be. The final decision of the plan
tiers is awaited by the laborers, the
Japanese especially, with much inter
est. '..a !. -.
Nippu Jill Agreeably Surprised
cit was indeed entirely unexpected
that the planters would so soon make
an announcement Of their attitude and
give us q decision on the question Of
the increase of wages to the plantation
lahorers. declares the Nippu Jiji,
editOrially.
Although we oil hoped and believed
that the planters would listen to rea'
sonahle public opinion, no one really
expected the question to be solved to
the satisfaction Of all as soon as 1t
was insofar as il has been solved. Their
decision bears out what we said yes
terday; that the planters were both
broad.mipded and generous and would
certainly give ear and heed to the just
requests OF the laborers.
"A favorable decision of this kind,
even though the question was debated
strenuOusly between employers and en-
plnyed, but without the slightest dis
turbance. cannot but accentuate the
fact that only the best of feeling and
interest is taken by those in power and
authority and that when a delicate sub
jcct is under discussion the best way
out is by approaching the subject in
a gentlemanly and honorable manner.
Sure Planters Mean Business
although the rate of the increase
to be granted the laborers is not yet
announced, we dare advise our fellow
countrymen to set themselves at ease
end rely npOn the generosity of the
planters and avoid arguing the matter
cutie us much as it is being done now
We have not the slightest doubt that
the planters will share fairly the pro-
fits derived from the high price sugar
il now bringing to the plantation in
terests and we are sure that the rate
of increase in wages will be such as to
be considered reasonable by all and
satisfactory to the laborers.
"The real worth of the decision of
the planters in thus sharing their great
profits with the laborers liz such that
it cannot be computed in dollars and
cents. 1t is greater to the peace, good
will and prosperity of the community
and the industry that the actual
amount Of the increase, 1t means that
in Hawaii laboreFs are given their just
deserts. That the planters reached
such u satisfactory decision even with
out any formal demand being made on
them by the employed is proof that in
the whole scheme Of things there is
good to be found and worth to be
honored.
"NOW, japanese should await calmly
the final decision of the planters, assur
ed that their expectations will be met
in a manner that will give satisfaction
and pleasure TO all.
The Hawaii ShiRpo dwelt at length |
in it's Sunday issue on the subject of |
wage Increase.
What Seven Years Taught
at Is certainly a matter of congra.
tulation to all that the reasonable re.
quest of the japanese in the matter
of an increase in wages of the plan
tation hands should be listened TO by |
the planters and decision reached so |
early, as that announced by the presi- |
dent Of the association through The
Advertiser" said the Shinpo. 1.-THE |
attitude taken on the subject and the |
generosity of the planters is certainly !
very gratifying to all concerned.
In the discussion of this all-im
pOrtant question sOme of our country,
zen have been too optimistic and some
IltogetheT too pessimistic, while many,
and we were among these, took the
middle course and believed that what
WAS right would be done. Taken all
in all. it is of no use to argue any more
&" seriously, but to await with patience
until the. final decision is announced,
that is. what the actual increase to be
made in wages Is to be.
at is about seven years since de.
mand for an increase in wages created
great disturbance in this community
among planters and laborers. We are
certainly highly elated that after the
lapse of such a short period of time
the Japanese community should have
improved in knowledge and manners
t" such an extent and progressed along
these lines NO much that the same cues,
ton should have been handled 30 nicely