The Hawaiian gazette. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu, Hawaii]) 1865-1918, 1917-12-11
Costs and the Bonus

~ RITICS Of the amended bonus system an
~ nounced by the Hawaiian Sugar Planters
Association on the ground that it was unjust 10
the laborer to make the basis S85 ton for raw
sugar instead OF 81 were answered before they
had time to voice any objection and the answer
came from the shipping board and not from the
planters. 1t had been argued that it would be
time enough to consider higher freight costs when
they came. They have come. <3F
The basis on which the bonus is figured has
been raised twenty-four dollars ton in order 10
make the system one OF real profit sharing and
notiAo throw the full burden OF increased costs
on the plantations. If profits go up the laborer is
entitled 10 his share under any proper system Of
sharing of gains. g. ,'. s'ss
Increased costs between Honolulu and San
Francisco, for freight alone with war tax on trans
portations added are $42l a ton, the new fig
ure being S.2l. To New York, by water all the
way, the increase is $5.95, the new rate and tax
being $l5:45 as against $3.50. But most of the
Eastern Sugar, after February is to go by steamer
to San Francisco and thence east by rail and we
find the cost OF such sugar is increased, including
transportation taxes, $l2l4, the freight and tax
being $2l.64 against $3.50. {.%s
All that the sugar companies bring in from the
mainland will be similarly increased adding ma
teriay to the costs OF supplies which already
mucn nigner than IN preONar days. ."H
In the editorials in the Japanese papers of which
TRANSACTIONS were published in The Advertiser
yesterday, the Japanese press went on record as
disappointed in and dissatisfied with the action of
the planters. 1t was expected that they would be
for the agitation for higher plantation wages was
conducted through the press though evidently
started BY retail merchants who wanted business
as usual in times. In those editorials num-
Der Of speciouS arguments advanced and some
OF the arguments show lack of full understand
ing of the situation. ''"h@'
Criticism is made that Hawaiian sugar prices
and not the New York prices are made the basis
The answer to this is that prices from now on are
to be all alike, price on the Atlantic. the Paci-
fc and at Gulf ports. The sugar commissions fix
one price for all. st+
So far as direct wages go the laborer will have
no reduction Those who participate in the boz
muses. will receive, this year, their regular wage
with one-third Of that amount added The reduc-|
lion for them comes only in the final payment at
the end of the year They would have as much
reason to protest because the price of sugar had
been five cents pound during the coming year
as they have to object to the raising of the mini
mum to meet added costs
One OF the main points that has been raised by
the Japanese association and newspapers has been
that those who do not work the required number
Of days do not participate in the bonus system
No cut IN their wages is made and they still have
the same opportunity, by working twenty DAVIS Al
mouth, to secure an increase OF third in their
pay. -..'s ~
1t is to be expected that there will be disap-
pointment i'll the fact that the planters find them
selves unable to pay at the end of next year so
large bonus as they pay this year but there is
satisfaction that the wage and bonus received each
month, the money on which the laborer and his
family live, has not been decreased. !, ,st, ~
The usual fairness of the Japanese must be look
cd to for meeting the new conditions, recogni-
ton that the burden of the winning of the war
tails upon us all, rich and poor, employer and en-
ploye, We believe the Japanese will not be found
wanting. ..4:t