The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1856-1888, 1862-01-30

/ 10 AE LA-
If this theory is correct. and all experience goes to
support it. our high tariff scheme very much resem-
bles the plan which the old widow adopted with her
hen, that lay the golden egg every day, and I'VE are
not mistaken, will produce a somewhat similar re-
suit Such, at least, Is the firm conviction Of by far
the larger portion Of our merchants. and min -tenths
Of the foreign community Of the kingdom. The de-
crease in the amount Of imported goods now paying
five per cent ,CiH be Immediately felt. and we feel
safe IN predicting that the sum total OF such goods
imported during 1861 (the first year Of the operation
Of the new tarid) will be reduced at least one-fourth-
The above language was used by this journal
bJOre the present 10 per cent. tariff went into
effect. Instead Of a decrease of onefourh in
the imports, the falling off amounts to orer
One-haE the imports of 1859 and about fIeo-JJfhs
of those of 1860. The last year has afforded as
fair a trial of the new tariff as its most sanguine
advocates could ask for. The excessive importa-
tions of 1859 had ample time to work off in
1850, as is shown by the small expectations of
foreign goods in 1861, and that years imports
QS6l) are as large as we can reasonably look for
under the working of the new tariff. Indeed
some predict a still further decline, and think
that the impOrtations for 1862 will not exceed
5000, 900.
We know that there are those who persist
emily contend that a tariff of 10 per cent. can
not operate towards diminishing our importa-
tions, simply because they cannot see irhy 1t
ShOuLd so operate. The fact that it does so, is
admitted by every one. \ reference to the COM
parative table inserted before, shows that we ex-
ported a large amount of foreign goods in former
years., and for all practical purposes those exports
were the same as domestic exports, inasmuch as
they cancelled balances charged against us.
But it is idle to suppose that our merchants or
their correspondents abroad do or will import
goods to any amount to re-export, if subjected
to double the tax under which they were former
ly admitted. Instead of importing so freely,
their invoices are cut down as closely as possible,
as the experience of the past year has shown.
Again-doubling the impost tax must operate
TO decrease conSuunpton-not among the wealthy,
who care little whether their tea costs 40 or 45
cents, or their black beavers eight or ten dollars
but among the working and Industrious classes,
,oho are compelled TO count the cost of what they
consume. While Il we1l-salaried man will drink
as much tea, costing so cents a pound, as when it
costs only 80, a laborer or mechanic, whose daily
income is limited to a bare subsistence, will
notice the slightest rise in the cost of his tea or
cotton. While he cheerfully pays four cents a
pound for his flour or fifteen cents a yard for his
NOblOh, hC VIII OOLSl illii BdJ Oil
cent a pound for his flour or eighteen for his
cotton, eat cheaper food or less of it, and make
his old clothes last another six months. 1t is in
this way that consumption is affected, and as
ninety-nine hundreths of the population of the
kingdom is made up of such as are sensitive to
prices, it is but natural that our imports should
feel it. The well-to-do may MT see this OF how
it operates, but it is among the natural laws of
cause and effect, which must not be overlooked
by our statesmen. The amount which n poor
family consumes depends on the cost of the neces-
saries consumed, and if the cost is triiing, the
consumption will be greater than if the cost is
more. \ native can live ON poi and raw fish at
q trifling expense, or he can buy salmon, bread
and imported luxuries. 1t takes u very trihing
addition to the usual price Of imported articles
to send him back to his old diet. And we be-
lieve the consumption Of foreign produce among
the natives is far less than it was years ago.
There is n cause for this. Our statesmen say it
is n natural result of a decrease of the race and
Of the w~halcmen. We say it is attributable to
the new tariff, and point to the Collectors statis-
tics Us evidence.
The past years experience affords the amplest
that our Ministry have not yet devised n
,evenue system adapted to the wants of these
stands. The former tariff was much better, and
mad 1T been kept in operation, would probably
nave produced a revenue equal to the present.
The present prOtectire. ~erciusire policy will, if it
not ruin the nation, hinder it's progress in
general prosperity. 1t was tried as an expert
nent, and has proceed a failure. 1t should there
ore be abandoned for the only true policy which
We should follow,-viz: to open our ports to
rec trade as much as possible, inviting hither
he transit nj of the world, and making
his the great store-house of the Pacific. For,
ituated as we are, midway between the great
mporiums of California, China, Australia, and
America, lin which markets the prices of
merchandise and produce are constantly fuctua-
ing-now high, now low,) we would become a
Iepot for European and American goods, to be
wherever needed. Increased trade of this
haraeter would bring hither more shipping, and
With increased shipping, the wants of those con-
ected with it must be supplied. Where there
an increase of commerce, there will be more
r less immigration, and the ports and country
Tould derive benefit from the larger number of
ravelers and strangers, all of whom bring more
r less money, and many would locate here.
Let us repeal or reduce our exclusive tariff, for
can work only evil continually. 1t was de-
to produce for us a revenue; instead of
it has produced only poverty, as predicted.
We have been experimenting for the last three or
'ur years, let us try another hopeful expert
tent. and adopt a free trade policy, one that the
'Orld may admire, and which may rebound to
UT agricultural, commercial and financial pros
erity-one that shall draw hither the mercan-
lie and whaling navies of this vast ocean, now
inging from North to South, from East to
Vest, seeking where is afforded the best larry
lg-place for their cargoes and merchandise to be
ored and await the huctuating demands of
ade. Let our present ruinous policy be abol-