The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1856-1888, 1870-07-30
THE PACIFIC
Commercial A6bettiser.
July 30.

encouragement Of Home Manufactures
The debate which took place in the Legislative
Assembly on the bill for granting a bonus and
certain privileges for the encouragement Of the
establishing a wooden mandatory in this King
dom, was highly interesting, and terminated in
the passage of the bill by the House, and its
approval by the King. We cannot but regard
this as a step in the right direction, and one
which, should it prove to be a successful expert
ment, would be the precursor of others Of a like
tendency.
The encouragement of local industry is a sub
ject of the deepest interest to all classes in these
Islands, and in considering the result likely to
ensue from it, we are fortunately not without the
advantage OF experience, founded upon a know
ledge of the practical results which followed in
other countries placed in somewhat similar cir
cumstances. The endless arguments made use of
in discussing the respective advantages of free
trade and protection are too numerous to investi-
gate, or to refer to at any length in this brief
article nor do we think anything could be gained
by travelling over that well-beaten track. 1t is
enough for us to admit there arc strong and
sound arguments on both sides of the question:,
the satisfactory solution Of which must eventually
be deteEnined by the surrounding circumstances,
and the Condition in which the country to be
affected by them is placed.
To buy in the cheapest and to sell in the dearest
market, is regarded as an ncontrOvertible maxim
by those who advocate a free trade policy. Yet
we find that the United States of America, and,
in later years, the Colonies Of Australia, rejected
that policy, and became very remarkable in
stances of the rapid development of local indus
tries under difficulties which would have proved
insurmo untable but for their adoption of the sys-
TEN of protective duties. We should like to ask
if any political economist could now be found
bold enough to assert that without such protec-
ton the countries referred to would have achieved
such a wonderful progress For some years
subsequent to the discovery of gold in Australia,
it could hardly be credited that manufactures
could be successfully established in those Colo
mics. 1t was evident enough that the high rates
of wages which then prevailed would prove an
~effectual bar to the introduction of manufactures
in which labor formed the material clement.
Nevertheless, the lapse of a few more years rem
dered apparent two very important facts first,
that there was a constantly increasing flow of
immigration in the Colony which would eventu-
ally lead to a reduction in the rates of wages;
and secondly, there was a vast youthful population
rising within the Colony, who were becoming
daily more and mora demoralized, solely through
the sheer want of SOM channel for Industrial
occupation. Fortunately the statesmen of Aus
tralia had the wisdom to take measures to check
the impending evil before it became deeply rooted,
and many whose interest as merchants and inn
porters were identified with free trade, sacrificed
it to their conviction, and become the most ear
nest advocates for the development of native
industry.
When men worship the almighty dollar, they
seem unable to take an enlightened or compre-
hensiye view of any subject except in a money
light. In treating of this question-national
industry-itss social influences and bearings must
not be overlooked; they are, indeed, the highest
and therefore should be the first, TO be considered
by those who hold the helm of the state. The
wisdom and sound policy of a government are
best exemplifed where the great mass of the peo-
pie are benefcially employed for in the train of
industry alone are to be found true happiness
and virtue, sound moral and physical health,
and sterling independence in thought and action.
We need not go far to point out the converse of
this. The social and physical condition of the
VI VICE. AohiI49y auu uOu % i
life at the present time, afford an illustration in
point.
NORWAY is a good ex~ample-perhaps the best
that can be cited-of an industrious and self
relying people prospecting amidst natural difficult
ties. During six months in the year. the climate
them from outdoor husbandry, and
this would be u period Of enforced idleness were
it not that bred, as they are, to habits of indus
try from their infancy, and INSTRUCTED in various
arts, they employ themselves during this period,
within doors, spinning and weaving, making
clothing and boots and shoes, and the various
implements required on their farms. Little they
care for the maxims of political economists.
They find their happiness and enjoyment of life
in their unceasing industry.
In VICTORIA, which we refer more particularly
TO as ono of the latest instances in which we can
trace tho consequences arising from protective |
duties, we find that although for several years
past there has been a large and increasing addi-
ton to the population, the amount of imports
and exports have been nearly stationary, which is
attributable to the fact that new industries are ever
springing up in the Colony, and the inhabitants
are using up instead of exporting a large proper
ton of their raw materials. Through the steady
of population, wages have come to a rea-
sonable level, and thus it is by no means imprO-
bable, that the time is not far distant when the
necessity for protective duties in that Colony will
cease.
The Legislature of this Kingdom have done
their duty in this behalf, not so much in the
amount of encouragement offered, as in the
lfir lation of the principle involved, 1t now re-
Ealns 10 be seen whether those who have the ;