The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1856-1888, 1861-03-07
THE PACIFIC
Commercial Advertiser.
THLrRNDAT. M4RCH Z

z In an old number of the POIyHesiqH
issued in lS4S, when that paper was more ably
conducted than il has been of late years, and
when It's editor viewed the questions of the DAY
from Il more liberal stand point than Is now
done, we find some very appropriate remarks on
the subject Of encouraging immigrants, which
we discussed in our issues Of February II and
81, and copy them in full. In many points
they are as truthful and as applicable now as
when first printed. and we think their r~eproduc-
ton here cannot but serve Il good purpose.
In 1913, the imports into this port amounted
to S223 1888 IS, yielding a revenue Of SS,46S
So. In 1877, they had swelled to S7l0,l3S %,
and the revenue therelrOm To S4S.SOl %, being
an increase of imports of 1856, $50 II and of
revenue $40, 332 81. This in four years. 1t is
worth our while to enquire into the causes of 30
hattering 4 result and what arc our prospects for
the future.
The chief cause of this rapid increase Of i'm
ports has been the temporary market created
by the influx of whaleships. In lSi3 there ar
rived 3IS. In 1874. 49,. In 1915, $40. In
1916, j9j. In lS47, 3S4, Il decrease which
brings the number down almost to that of 1913,
the birth period of the present ship chandlery
business which has had 50 favorable an influence
upon the prosperity of the group. The whalers
having created in most part this import trade
and also having in chief made the market for
the native produce, it follows that if they decline
in numbers the imports must proportionately
decrease and with il the revenue. We will allow
that from other causes the actual consumption
by the abOrigines of foreign goods is double
what it was in 1913 and that the aggregate val
ue Cf sugar and coffee raised is in the same pro-
portion. Yet even with this hcalthful and per
manent increase. the decline Of Imports and rev
enue from the falling off from 595 whalcships to
3S4 in one year must soon show itself, unless Il
new business is created TO fill the gap. That
this can be done We shall easily show.
First, we have u Few words 10 saw in regard to
the whaling business. How nearly exhausted
the great fishing grounds to the north of the
islands are, it is impossible for any one accurate
" To Judge. Still it Is not 10 be doubted that
the cream of the business Is over, and that lS46
for this kingdom will prove the climax of pros
perity from that source. We believe the actual
difference in the amount of business done by our
merchants with the whaling fleet in 1916 and
lS47 to have been at least $3.50, 900 less in the
latter than the former year. This was owing to
two causes. The much fewer number of ships
and the fewer repairs requir d. We believe the
result from the United States and Europe Will
show, that we will never see atloat again 50 large
a whaling fleet as existed in 1915 and 1916. The
reasons for this are obvious. The opening of
the North West and kamscliatka grounds operat-
ed upon those engaged IN this business a. does
the discovery Of rich vein in Il gold mine. Ii
draws all the labOrcrs and spectators To the spot
aDu 4 TOWN. VIII RToN up WIFI the IillAillN u
Jonah's gourd, and to perish as quick when the
vein is exhausted. Fortunately for US the whal-
ing vein was in our neighSOrhOOd. These isl
ands were the most favorable recruiting ami re-
pairing ground. consequently the entire fleet
here and a business was built up with a
rapidity that has astoniShed every one. But we
must not be deceived as to its pernanency. This
business will inevitably decline not 50 rapidly
as it arose, but still rapidly enough 10 carry
away capital and foreign population, unless
other means are found To keep them here. The
whaling vein at the north is not exhausted, but
the ground has been thoroughly hunted over.
whales are scattered and other ports must in
future come in for IL share of this business from
the very circumstance that they will enjoy what
have enjoyed. localities contiguous to whal-
ing grounds, besides possessing the superior adj
vantages of Il larger market. IL is reasonable to
believe then that in "a short time our share of
this business will retrograde TO the point from
which it took such 4 rapid rise, say 1913, or an
average of about 500 annual arrivals. We
should find in that case, allowing even for the
increased of goods among the ma
tiveS and other causes, that an average of $780,
600 imports would be as much as this kingdom
could pay for. The duties and charges on this
amount would he, say S25 ,000,-or a falling off
in this branch of the revenue of one half. We
believe we do not exaggerate the loss. Our
merchants can inform us if we err IN these est-
mates. There must come also a period of pc
NeAAAaAA y ~
surplus of merchandise on which duties have
been paid, suitable only for foreign ommercc,
such as provisions, cordage, copper and ship
chandlery generally. This was imported in an
ticipation IF the continuance of the whaling
business. With it also has arrived a vast
amount Of other merchandise, making up the
$3.50, 900 for 1S47, of such articles as the money
received by the natives of the whalers enabled
them to purchase of the shopkeepers. Thus we
have a large stock of merchandise on hand and
the means of consumption lessened. An outlet
must be found or trade will stagnate. These
goods must be paid for. If they are not, i'm
will proportionately cease. Prices
Till 90 up-competition decline and this port
continuing as it has been a depot of mer-
a.uadise from all quarters of the globe. with its
lere tai consequence of lessened prices. become a
emnanauching place for ships TO get rid OF Their
irect frAs of cargoes. with perhaps a few vessels
uallv. wNn the United States and Europe an
ign pricesNose merchandise can be had only at
raie to Vim In short, the country must retro
Fhi.h will IN it was previous to 1913, a result
he natives ms SSerate even more disastrously upon
em6e. >the whites, US the latter could
nedid? lisa, worst, how is this to be re-
Is present. standaI ~ She revenue to be kept up to
oresight thar Pretending to no more
III eventPut our yiew,h our readers, we will at
upon paper for their