The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1856-1888, 1864-10-22

Sl4S $50 for exchequer bills which fell due
during the biennial term, which about equals
the sum borrowed on the faith of the govern
ment during the same time. The interest Paid
on the public debt during the last two years
was S42,27O, and the treasurer states that a
reduction of about 1900 in this item has been
effected. The public debt ON the first of April,
1864 was S166, 649.
Regarding an increase Of taxes, the Minister
very justly says:
1t would be inexpedient TO increase the taxes at the present
moment, because their increase would proPortionaly retard the
progress Of native industry. Far from hindering the actual
ment to foster it by all means. and to carefully and quietly re.
move the difficulties in the way. The closer the connection Of
man with the soil, the more easily destroyed are the rowing
habits Of i-dolence
The importation OF machinery free of duties has
unquestionably given an impetus to the manu-
facture of sugar, and will continue TO do SO, so
long as this policy is pursued. But cannot the
government do something more for other branches
of agricultural industry, in which machinery
is not SO much needed by the natives? In the
culture of rice and cotton, for instance. the
natives do not require much if any machin-
ery,'' but if suitable premiums were allowed to
be given to the largest natire cultivators in each
Of these and perhaps other branches of industry,
it would tend to increase our productions very
much. 4 premium of 800 to the largest Guilt
vator, S75 to the next, $50 to the next, and
$25 to the fourth, to be awarded by the Min
lister of the Interior on satisfactory evidence,
would operate as a stimulus, and within two
years raise our production of these articles to
perhaps d million of pounds-which would GER
tainly be a great result for 30 trifing an outlay.
What is said in the Report about our imports
and exports will be read with interest, and the
more SO because it is sound and correct. Our
exports are now nearly equal to our importa-
tions, and SO long as this continues to be the
case, our Islands will improve in wealth and
agricultural resources. The remark made by
the Minister respecting imported goods being
invoiced I" at II mere nominal value,' has, we
hear, given ofense. 1t applies, we suppose, to
the cargoes of lumber imported from the mills
in Puget Sound, at ruinously low prices, lower,
understand, than others have to pay when
the same article is imported from elsewhere. !
There is no question that :. consular certifcates'
to be attached to every inroice, but the !
fee for the same ought to be placed so low AS
hot to be felt as an onerous expense,-say one OF
two dollars for each certificate. /;
On the whole, the public will be pleased with
the report, and with the exhibit of the national +,
and doubtless award the Minister the
credit due to him. If he continues to show
The same impartial honesty, and possesses
he frmness to carry out the good sugges-
ions referred to in his report, he will most
happily disappoint many, who considered his
nomination to the most important Office under
he Hawaiian Government as injudicious and
Were all the public Offices filled with
men showing as good intentions and acquitting
as well as Mr.. Varigny has done in
his report, the people would have less cause of
omplaint against the government.