The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1856-1888, 1863-11-12

different qualities are 10 be selected for all public
Offices, simply because they are favorites or of q
certain nationality and creed. we may bid adieu
to prospective peace and progress. A feeling of
distrust in the stability of the government will be
created, which will check the introduction of
foreign capital, and even drive away much that
is seeking investment here.
1t cannot be denied that public and private
interests have suffered during the past few years,
from the slack management of government
affairs. There has been a lack of administra-
tive energy and ability shown in the executive
departments-not simply in the finance but the
other departments as well, which has shaken
public confidence, reduced cur foreign ommerce
and the business of our principal ports, and ere
ated d feeling of distrust among business men,
and insecurity in real estate, which is in every
country, and ought to be here, deemed the best
security in the world. There is Il want of
: brains and business talent in the cabinet,
and until these all-important requisites are pos
sessed, the people can hope for little or no i'm
provement. There are many who think that
Prince Lot is not in a position worthy of his
title, nor one that does him honor, when holding
the post of a Minister. \ higher and more
honorable station should be assigned TO the heir
of the throne, and such a position only can
secure him from the petty censure and animos-
ity which fall TO the lot of a public officer.
Some person of suitable administrative qualifca-
tions might make his department a busy work
shop, devising and carrying out internal reforms
ana improvements in every part of the kingdom
where needed.
We said that the lack of administrative ability
in the cabinet creates Il want of confidence
in what ought to be the best security-real
estate. This is too true. There has scarcely
been 4 sale of real estate for months, which has
not been attended with loss to its owner. Not
long since Il vacant lot sold on the corner of
Beretania and Richards streets for $3.50, which
cost its former owner over $3.50 some eight
years ago,-a loss of 5000, reckoning interest
at 10 per cent. The property of the late Mr..
Brewer sold at auction for about one-third what
it cost him. That of the late DR.. Robin
son, which sold about Il year ago for $1,000,
and was thought q bargain, has lately been re-
sold for $500, 4 decline of 33 per cent. in one
year. The property of the late Mr.. Thomas solo
for about one-third its cost. These are merely n
few among numerous instances showing the de-
cline of real property, which ought TO be the
very best security, and which in other countries
generally advances in value from year TO year.
There are causes for this, and it is the duty of
our government to inquire seriously what they
are. 1t is not right that property-holdcrs
suffer losses arising from a want of ability in
the administration of the government. In many
ways. able and Industrious ministers might adj
vance the general prosperity of the people,
promote industry and thrift among the natives
If they Themselves tcere men Of G~ctirity and infu-
cace. But men of the opposite stamp can not
nor plan such measures, and if they
did their personal influence is not such as to
them to carry them out successrully-they
. brains and business talent"