The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1856-1888, 1860-06-28
Correspondence Of the Pac. Com. Advertiser
LegIsinIiug for Agriculture.

Mr.. EDITOR The importation of seeds, plants,
&c, is, under circumstances, made duty free, but it
is a great mistake to suppose that seeds are imported
free Of expense. Why cannot a law be passed to
direct the recipient of seeds or plants TO show his
invoice at the custom-house, have it vised rs correct,
and direct the bearer to present such invoice to the
custom-house officer, who may have power to inspect
the parcel. The payment of 81 80 is a needless bur-
den on those who, DESTROYS to promote our agricul-
tural resources, are often compelled to send for small
samples of seeds. Every grain of a useful seed which
enters our islands contains the germ of an addition
to our prosperity. 1t would be but a wise and liberal
act of our Legislature TO free seeds and plants from
all expenses, not only those destined for individual
use, but also those that are offered for sale, because
both are for the sole benefit of our island agriculture.
\ great hindrance among the native population, 10
extended agricultural pursuit Is, the want and gen.
eral use of agricultural implements. As long as the
simple 90 takes the place of the hoe, pillow, rake and
harrow, progress cannot be expected. 1t should be
the aim of wise legislation to render agricultural i'm
plements as cheap as possible, and | would suggest
the striking out of the words . for their own USE in
section 516 of the Code. Let the hoe, rake, pillow,
harrow and plow-harness be altogether free of duty.
To enlarge and augment agricultural progress on
these islands, the augmentation of the population by
means of introducing industrious and experienced
agriculturists Is, and should be, one of the first OBJ
jects. This can only be done, if an uniform price is
set on the public lands. These islands are so much
blessed with a salubrious and favorable climate, that
the white man is enabled, without detriment to
health and constitution, to produce all those articles
which in other countries can only be produced by
the labor of the African race. Under liberal laws, the
overtaxed farmers of Europe would flock to our shores
as we'll as t. other free countries. Born and brought
up under monarchical regimes, they are invariably
good. peaceful and industrious citizens in any country,
and are cherished as well in the United States "a in
the turbulent provinces of Mexico and South America.
Englishmen and Germans are the element whose in
fusion into the population of these islands will be
productive of progress and prosperity. Invite the
immigrant, confer powers Of empresarios on an Eng
lish and German house of known probity, give FIVE
years credit to the Immigrant, if he requires it, let
the price Of land be uniform, and be rejoiced that
you have acquired what is worth more than a few
dollars, in hand paid industry, perseverance and
beneficial influences. 1t is small farmers that we
want. The small farmer vorks himself, but will
require help, and that help he must procure from the
native. Let a farmer work with his native laborors,
treat them as they should be treated, accustom them
to order, be Just, and there is not n better nor more
cheerful set Of laborers than our natives. They will
readily learn the use of tools and the plOw, and it
would be but "a wise measure to grant TO such as may
NaSli ittols lidCAc u ihhA ia 4tAt AuAililh
rent. To encourage the formation of such companies
is the best means by which our missionaries and
chiefs can further agricultural industry. BY regu-
their labor to certain hours, prohibiting idling
1t working time, one of the greatest wants in native
character is supplied-Order. To exempt the cult
waited land that is enclosed from taxation is but a
to industry and fencing. Horses actually
for plowing should also be exempt from taxation.
The uniform taxation Of five cents per acre on I'M
cultivated or unfenced lands would not only avoid
much complaint about the valuation Of the tax-asses-
but would encourage agriculture. To the small
proprietor such a tax would not be onerous, but
would affect the large proprietor. 1t would COM
el the great landowners to exert themselves in be-
alf of immigration, compel them to offer their lands
t low rates, and teach them. what Yankees know so a
that a hundred acres given TO some Industrious :
lrmer gratis makes the balance of a thousand acres Il
valuable, and a rent-free lease Of from FIVE to =.
en years Is but a means to bring waste land into d
rice. The only alternative left to the country is, IN
ither ga free nation and a free people derived from -
ncouragel immigration, or annexation and slavery"
ct us hope for the first. In the ratio in which our
esources are developed, a protective tariff for such
roducts as oats, corn, hay, potatoes, rice, etc,
lould protect the producer of those as well as a duty ,
+ two cents per pound laid on foreign sugars. The :
lanufacture Of wine has proved. wherever it sue "a
a mine OF wealth. hOulu ltENstLjlyu enact -
ws requiring a license for mining our mountains ~
7 gold, whose existence is at least doubtful3 Why
a license for the manufacture of wine, rs long
il Is doubtful if it can be manufactured at all;
TRANCE wisdom, or most sure proof Of lunacy and
strange manner Of encouragement 10 develope
e resources and industry Of n country that needs
tn so much, and could receive not a better acqui- :
ton than a few hundreds or thousands of indus
ious German winners. The manufacture Of rum
pertains, wherever sugar IS raised, to the business
the sugar planter. To make rum from the refuse
the sugar-house Is individual enterprise, aud if m.
e sugar planter Is forbid manufacturing rum, 90 IN
acts mean and base to import II, and max 49,
2 profit from an article by denying that profit to
individual enterprise Of its subjects. The manu-
cture of okolehao Is advocated as productive of in
Istry, and as e~xpedient to the progress and pros =
Of the country. No grain, the bouutiful gift
Providence, is prosJitutei for the mauumcture. Of I
o'ehao. 1t is but a weed. The cry Of the world,
IN London to san Francisco, Is Tor pure liquors,
j the common weed, peculiar 10 our mountains.
\ produce it. Why then not enter the market and
-nish what is wanted Why not confer on the
rid the benefit Of supplying pure liquor, ani return
81 for evil, pure okolehao for all these poisonous
mounds, which the world has furnished to - 80
z and - willingly But such Is the m~ouomauia Of
aperauce advocates, that if only the name Of a dis .