The Hawaiian gazette., 1918-08-16
JAPAN AND CHINA
OFFER solution
Laborers Pass Here On Way To
South America While Food
Production Falls off

"Is IL q wise thing to overlook the
Japanese who are pouring through
this port for South America, when
the labor situation is 80 aeutef" asks
the Nippu Jill, in an editorial arti
icle dealing with the general labor
shortage in Hawaii.
The Hawaii ShinpO also expresses
the opinion that the employers Of Ia
hor here, after they have tried to
secure Porto Ricans and FilipinOs, will
he forced to turn to Japan and China
TO secure the necessary labor to keep
Hawaii g production of food up 10
the requirements Of the times.
"All Hawaii is worried over the
present shortage Of the labor supply
in the Islands, which shortage is bad
ly handicapping not only the sugar
industry but ell other industries, -
says Editor Soga Of the Jill 1.-The
increase in food production which is
essential to make Hawaii independent
and self sustaining. can not be accom-
plishe so long as the labor shortage
exists and continues 70 grow more
acute.
Will They Stay
Portuguese and Spaniards brought
into Hawaii at n great cost by the
Territory. are leaving here by scores
for the mainland. The exodus of these
Iaborrrs at this critical moment is
proof that Hawaii is not giving these
laborcrs sufficient inducement now to
keep them In the Islands. How can
anyone expect that other Porto Rican
or Mexican laborers, even IL these are
IA hnll - ha
Islands any longer than the Portu
guese and Spaniards, when the wages
are insufficient to satisfy themH
"Thc capitalists are hoping for re
lief in the importation of more Fill
pino lahorers, while in some official
quarters n movement to import Chi
nese immigrants is on foot.
Meanwhile a large number of Japa
nese migrants are passing through
Hawaii on their way TO South American
countries, where the doors are open
for their entry.
"The planters who are looking for
the FilipinOs to save the day say that
if they can only get ships it is Il
matter of the easiest to secure all the
labor needed for the local supply. But
when can the ships be securedf No
one knows The planters must wait in
vain while a continuous stream of
Japanese are pouring into South Am
erica, right in front Of our eyes.
els it a wise thus to overlook the
japanese
Sooner Or Later
The Hawaii Shinpo says, along the
same line:
. 90. ba Tlon 70
import Porto Rican or Filipino labor
TO relieve the shortage in the labor
supplies here, all depends on ships
They must appeal to the United States
government for the ships needed to
carry laborers from any available out
side source But as the ships are need.
ed for carrying troops and supplies
across the Atlantic. with how many
bottoms Hawaii can be provided is o
nistter of uncertainty. Anyone who
is familiar with the shipping situation
can see that the plan stands little
chance of success.
"We believe firmly that the plant
ers will turn, sooner or later, to japan
OF China, or both, for their supply
Of laboreTA The reasons for so be
heying are because, in the first place,
the importation Of Orientals requires
no appeal to be made to the United
States government for ships, and, in
the second place, because japanese or
Chinese are best suited for labor in
the fields.
"The movement just started for the
importation of Chinese immigrants is
proof that the planters are now fully
awakened to the necessity Of seeking
relief in the present situation from
Oriental sources.