The Hawaiian gazette. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu, Hawaii]) 1865-1918, 1918-07-16
Troubles of Planters

With a labor shortage estimated to reach $500
men and with famine of nitrates which can not
be broken for at least two months to come, the
problems of the sugar planters on these islands
pile up thick and fast The labor shortage augurs
for a decreased sugar crop next year and the year
after and the nitrate famine still further threatens
the 1920 crop .4ua. ~ ~, ~.
Hawaii must solve its own problems so far
as Is possible and especially is this so in war time.
1t Is possible to do this. to extent at least, so
far as the labor situation is concerned. As to
nitrates il is a different matter. The solution OF
the labor problem is to put the men who are EN-
gagged in unessential occupations and who are
fitted for plantation work. on the plantations. This
may entail some sacrifice among the men thus
taken but it will also demand concessions on the
part OF the plantations
Without doubt thereSare several hundred men
on the islands who either unemployed or are
employed only part Of the time, Resides this there
are numbers of workers, familiar more oE less
with agricultural work whose present employment
is unessential How to get these men to, the plan
tatons is the problem the planters must meet un-
less sugar production Is to be materially curtaed
next year and afterward. 5.
=. Hawaiians have been urged to get back to the
soil" and here is the opportunity for them to edo
So On the other hand it is claimed by some of
these Hawaiians that the compensation is not
adequate Here is point where the prospective
employer and the prospective employe must get
together The is threatened with smaller
crop and a consequently much smaller return on
his investment unless he secures more labOrers.
The other faces an uncertain livelihood and pre-
carious living unless he goes to the plantations.
There is common ground on which the planter
and the worker get together, II only 1t be
found
Well kept gardens smooth and velvetv lawns,
well trimmed trees and we'll clipped hedges are
things of beauty and Joy to the citizen who looks
upon them. Where it takes a man from the plan
tations to keep up this parklike appearance the
beauty is secured at the cost of actual loss to
the Islands, to the country and to the cause OF the
| Allies Then those parklike places become I'M
patriotic Then is the time it devolves on the
owner of the home. or its occupants, to keep up
its beautiful appearance for their own enjoyment
Economy in labor is quite important, more i'm
portant than is the saving of money The Presi-
dent asks us to economic and to save but he
accentuates the need OF conserving our labor re-
sources.
But if the yard boys are taken from their pres
ent employment for plantation work there must
be between them and the planter an understand
ing, getting together on mutual ground Just as
there must be between the planters and the Ha-
waans and other labor not now essentially en-
plOved. The concessions not be all on one
side 1t must be remembered that the labor Sc
cured here requires no expenditure for transpOrta
ton hither and for return three years from now
or within that period.
1t is quite possible that at least half of the labor
that is required for the plantations can be secured
right here at home ii the problem is taken up il
the right way and its solution secured
The question resolves itself into whether o.
not the plantations and the available labor of thu
Islands will permit large part Of the next croi
to fail to reach the consumer whether. by get
ting together they will save a least half of wha
} must otherwise never pass through the Hawaiian
mills.
w. S. S.