The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1856-1888, 1858-02-11

Ii will be seen that there has been, during 1857.
a falling off in the principal items. The imports
show a decrease of 81 600 from those of 1856,
and of 1888, 900 from those of 1856, and of $780,
900 from those of 1854. The domestic produce
exported in 1857, shows a decrease of about
S43, 900 from those of1S56,' notwithstanding the
assertion of the PolyneSan TO the contrary. And
in the total exports we find a fallingoff of S25 900.
Nor is this all. Our merchant fleet appears to
have dwindled down to less than what il was ten
years ago.
This is certainly a disheartening picture to
publish to the world, and when published without
comments, seems to indicate that our national
growth has been checked from some latent causes.
But let us see whether it is really SO or not.
Some perhaps will attribute this decrease to the
falling off in the number of merchant ships.
Referring to the table, we find that Al less ships
have visited US in 1857 than in 1856. But the
Collector allows that these ships take each only
about 5000 of products, and this cannot account
for it. Others will attribute it to the small num-
Der of whalers visiting the islands in 1857 but
the Collectors tables show an increase of whale
ships over the previous year, though our shipping
list shows the number to have been less. The
whaling Heet of 1856, however, are supposed TO
have taken Sl91 80 in domestic produce, while
that of 1857 (larger by 81 ships) is supposed to
have taken only $15l 600 in products, or $780,
$50 less than the previous year. These fuctua-
tions in the estimated supplies taken By uhalers,
are what cause the apparent decrease in the ex-
port trade of the kingdom. 1t is time that some
correct average be ascertained and adhered to.
In 1856, they were allowed $500 each this
year, 5000 each and in 1855, we believe. only
$225 each. These variations, of course, make a
material difference in the sum total credited to
exports, not at all to our credit in presenting an
annual balance-sheet of our trade, to be examined
by other nations. The sum allowed in the tables
this year as the average, is probably not far from
correct. But the Collector does not follow out
his average. He gives US a sum total of 3S7
whalers, Counting their spring and fall seasons,)
which at 5000 worth of supplies to each, would
make S232, 600 whereas, he allows to the wha-
lers at all the ports to take up only S151 900.
This would increase our exports SS1 900, making
the total S726,526 10, instead Of S645 .526 10,
as it now stands In his tables. If the sum of
$500, fixed as the estimate this year, is found on
examination to be correct, let it stay so, but don't
next year put it up to $500 again, and in 1860
down TO S225, to suit the whims of any CRITICS
ing officials.
But Notwithstanding the apparent retrograde
movement which the Collectors figures show,
there is a bright side TO this landscape picture.
in which we find the luxuriant plantations of our
staple cane and coffee dotted with mills and dry
ing-houses ; while in the background, grazing
on our lofty mountains, are the countless herds of
cattle, sheep and goats, which in time will be our
main reliance, in exporting beef, tallow, hides,
wool and skins. 1t is in our staples, shipped as
eargoes, that we find encouragement-these show
a gain, and one that viii probably increase from
year to year, subject to local fluctuations of
course. The value of domestic products shipped
as cargoes in 1856, was only S155,44s, while in
1857 it is S247 ,703, or an increase of S92, 255.
1t is in the increase of cur cargo exports of do
nestle produce, that we can alone base any solid
advance. Our principal exports have been as
follows, which we compare with the two previ-
Gus years:
Pounds Sugar, : 7o0,55s 55s.so5 2ss.s0s
Pounds Coffee. = = 81 ,S07 1882 1856
Goat Skins, : 1895 1924 1O3, 700
Wool, tbales') 90 S5s 19
The question b often asked, How are the
heavy balances against the islands paid Off?
Here we are shown to have 81, l30, 600 imports
sNorE-Int the Exports Of 1855, the Collector does not include
the SUM of ESQ IS, the product Of vessels in the whale FISH
sy under the Hawaiian Gag. La cur "comraraave view"
published above, that amount is included for 1856. In the Ex-
fshery In the sum totaio expats. When both amounts are in
eIuded, - they should be, they show . decrease Of 421 900 in
the exports Tor 1857. and not aa increase, - Tbs Poiv.esioa