The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1856-1888, 1870-01-08

: DUTTtU, UTUI WHICH, IU UT'T"DTON III DVVT UT"
provided. also. that the Minister of Finance may
allow the following articles TO be imported free o
duty on application for that purpose: Trees, SHRUBS
bulbs, roots, plants and seeds wheh not lhtehGeu loi
sale as merchandise gold and silver coins (; phlloso
phical. chemical, and other apparatus for the use o
schools and colleges curioslties, paintings ano
statuary not for sale specimens OF botany, MINER
alogy, geology and other natural sciences, Tor tht
use OF schools and colleges all books, maps and
charts procured abroad under the direction OF inc
Board of Education, for the use OF schools models
of inventions. if not fitted for use (n"chinefy q
all kinds, If intended for Sperttc use - steam en-,
eines. sugar, coffee and rice mills, plows, hoes and
other implements of husbandry, imported by, or Ioi
any agriculturist, or body of agriculturists, for hli
or their especial use bees, birds and fowls, horses.
mares, asses, bulls, cows, calves, sheep, swine, and
other animals intended for IMPROVING the breeds OF
such animals &c.
*Repealed in 1852.
Now the question comes up-may not the free
list be wisely extended, so as to admit these and
perhaps other articles, which cannot readily be
produced here, and which, if laid down at &
lower cost, must tend to cheaper labor:
Rough lumber and timber of all kinds.
Iron, coal and frewood.
Flour, wheat, and bran.
Copper, rivets, bolts, and sheathing.
Wire for fencing and stone posts.
Cotton and WOODEN cloths.
Tools and machinery imported by mechanics OF
Others for their own use and not for sale.
On the other hand, in order to afford protec-
ton and supply the deficiency created in the
revenue by admitting the above or other articles
free, it may be well TO Increase the duty on all
such articles as can he manufactured here as acel
as abroad. The extent to which such increase
should be carried, is the main question which
will be raised and create difference Of opinion.
The essay of Mr.. Torbert, as published on our
fourth page, last week and this, is a clear and
forciblc argument in favor of u protective tariff,
sufficiently high to encourage home industry.
The essay has been translated into Hawaiian, and
well circulated and it is probable that the prin-
cipleS advocated by him will enlist a warm SYM
rathy among the more intelligent natives, who
desire to encourage domestic industry. There
will be no lack of support from them, for they
have always been forward to impose taxes on i'm
ported goods the chief difficulty will be to regu-
late and direct their action, SO that any changes
made will be for the benefit of all.
The Chicago Adrance contains an article on
this very subject, which is 50 opportune, that we
insert so much of it as is applicable here:
The rubbish of old issues being cleared away,
what new question will divide existing parties or
lead to the formation of new ones? Present signs
point to the venerable controversy between PfOtec-
ton and Free Trade as the coming question. 1t
NAV not become the overshadowing one so early as
1872, but from this time forward it must enter
largely into the thoughts of statesmen rs well as the
calculations Of politicians, and ere lcng it promises
to take the first place in the politics of our time.
The mass of voters Of the present generation,
busy with II greater problem, have grown up with
ont forming any definite opinions regarding No
Tariff and High Tariff, and aside from certain tradi-
tons, handed down from Whig and Locofoco times
and lightly held among the people, the average pub
lie mind Of America is peculiarly unbiased and open
to argument and conviction concerning the right
solution of this question. 1t is probably true enough
that comparatively few can hope ever fully to under
stand the matter of Protection and Free Trade, for ii
clear comprehension of the whole theme requires an
amount of study, of application, and of patient
thinking and sitting of fallacies for which n majority
of voters neither have the taste nor claim the
capacity. Most will i'll this, as in other regards,
take their opinions at secondhand, and demagogues
will have a fair field for practicing their arts, but
there is no more reason to despair of 4 right final
decision liz this case than i'll any of the others
wherein the masses Of this country have, after some
hesitation and vibration it may be, avoided each ex-
treme and taken the middle course of common sense
and safety.
Experience will probably show that, in our own
case Mt least, the path OF wisdom lies midway be-
tween Protection and absolute Free Trade Without
doubt nOn-interference with the laws of trade should
be the general rule i'll our foreign commerce as well
as in our domestic traffic, but exceptions should be
made whenever greater benefits can, on the whole,
he obtained by pursuing a different course, and these
exceptions may properly be grouped together in the
form Of n moderate and judiciOUs tariff on certain
importations. While the main object of a tariff
should be the raising of revenue in the least burden
some and least vexatious way it is perfectly legiti-
mate so TO arrange the tariff as to incidentally
encourage a diversified industry Mt home but con-
slant vigilance should be exercised to prevent the
tariff from becoming II curse to all industry by
building up monopolies and special interests 1t the
exraa-a ii the many. The abuses th4t haye erepJ
mo our tariff Whit the peos.o were busg with
greater :hinss are many ana fragrant. anj Inlpol taRt
moa.hcati0ns are &lnust certain - DC I.ade ~ ten
greSs At its approaching Session. F9rr8s,aace, eey
rev will contend that the pass"5t duties Ga foFiaa
salt, coal aa5 ir0R-~s:e -ifier fair. necessary, Or
sfUiIysg5re - Jne American public. Cnder
Cf government Profession tiface is - constant tempta-
tien Tor parsons 20 engage III enterprises that are
really unproductive and then ask an increased tariff
to keep away competition and give them a forced
market for their wares. This is the abuse which
brings all Protection into d~isrepute, and, so far as it
goes, it is a valid argument for entire freedom of
trade but with honest and intelligent legislation
there seems to be no good reason why a revenue tariff,
incidentally and judiciously fostering q diversity of
among our people should not prove d
benefcent policy for our present and immediate
future. The test of every tariff, and of every item
of the tariff, must be the highest good Of the general
public. not the advantage of special classes or par
interests