The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1856-1888, 1871-06-03
Honolulu Prices.

The communication in our last issue under the
above heading, has awakened no little attention
ana remark, and more replies and rejoinders to
% Res Publica's p" structures have poured in upon
us than we have room to print. Selecting there
fore one, the letter of 80 k" which is both
logical and temperate and is based on figures, we
are content, with only a few passing remarks, to
leave the subject to our two correspondence to
.. fight it out on that line" to their hearts
content.
But were we to become so far advanced in so
cial economy and combination as to establish
what is known in other countries as n So cooper
atIve store, We fail as yet to see how we could
provide our stock very much cheaper than we
now get supplied in the numerous competitive
stores. In these days of quick transit, prices of
most kinds of goods are sure to find their level
Just as sure as does water. And there can be no
doubt, with the present outlook, that the time is
not far distant when in the nature of things, the
high prices that are complained of will tumble.
But all things being, as they must be, equal, the
prices of goods will not alone be deprecated.
All classes, all interests. are so much tied up in
the 8 : bundle of life" that the sensitive extremes
feel and respond to the remotest touch. Ii other
words, low prices inevitably result in low wages.
in the absence of some anomalous circumstance.
This law is as sure as that of supply and demand.
At our distance from supply markets, it is
impossible for Honolulu merchants to do a 50 small
profit and quick return - business. as that term
is understood in other countries. An importer
cannot ''turn his capital over'' oftener than once
in eight or ten months, and though retailers who
do not themselves import. may turn their money
more speedily, yet their goods will cost them
from fry to seventy-fve per cent. more than
original invoice cost at port of shipment,
AS to prices in California, they are al! General
thing, but very little lower than here. There,
goods of American manufacture bring at retail
about the same prices that rule here, while, how
ever, it must be acknowledged that in some lines.
this is not the case. 1t is however a notable
fact, that articles of English, French and German
make can be bought in this market for twenty to
thirty per cent. cheaper than in San FraDSiseo,
at retail-and California prices for such articles
rule up and down the whole coast of the United
States. So that there is one place at least . un-
der the sun, where goods are as high as they
are here.
One other circumstance which tends to make
many articles higher, is the fact that on all staple
goods, as denims, brown and bleached %cottons,
standard prints, tickings, &C., &C., the compe-
titiOn is SO sharp that Il living profit can not be
made on them, and it follows as a matter of
course, that the loss on these is made up on other
goods. o.
As to getting goods from the Colonies cheaper
than from the present sources of supply, as
limited by 9 Res Publica,'' We do not doubt that
in some instances of over-glutted markets there
of certain articles, we might be supplied at lower
rates and on shorter notice than elsewhere. But
this at best could be but exceptional. We know
of an instance where a Honolulu merchant sent
to New South Wales a sample of a saleable boot
for this market, and ordered a lot in the same
style, finish and make. When they came, they
were of inferior make, style and finish, cost there
$3.50 per pair, and laid down here, S1l. And,
the American boot being preferred, they are not
saleable.