The Hawaiian gazette. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu, Hawaii]) 1865-1918, 1872-03-06
CORRESPONDENCE.

correspondence in your last issue sets TINS
matter right, and shows that the Ministry
have kept their faith and done all they
promised, and all that they could do in
the case, and l have every reason to be
lieve that had it not been for the impoli,
I tic letter of Mr.. Webb's Agents to the
/ Government, which must be regarded
as coercive, that Privy Council would
| have been called whilst the last steamer
was here, and from the favorable and
kindly expressions which l had heard
from various members of the Council
towards Mr.. Webb and his enterprise,
the subsidy of $4,000 per month from
December LIST, would have been voted
and paid until the $50, 900 remaining of the
appropriation should have been exhausted.
The idea which has been thrown out that
his enterprise was Disseminated against,
and he treated unfairly, because 1t was an
4mericdn enterprise, is most certainly a
mistake. The question has been asked
me: Why then did the Government aid
Mr.. Halls line and refuse its aid to Mr.
Webb's line 1 reply here, as to my
queStioner, the Council voted aid to
Halls line simply as matter of Justice;
at least have reason to think that those
who so voted did it upon their conviction
of its justice, and they did not refuse aid
to Web6's line. The law granting the
subsidy required that if paid at all, it be
to line which would carry passengers
freight aud mails to and from New
Zealand and Australia. The law passed
in July, 1870 In April, 1870, the first
boat of Mr. Halls line arrived here, and
for twelve months, with great regularity,
fulfilled every condition of the law; Civ
ing us communication for all purposes
with Australia and New Zealand, starting
from, and returning to Sydney, via Auck-
land. Thus Halls line, for nine months
after the passage Of the lac, fulfilled every
condition of it, and it was the pioneer
line, and during this period the only line,
for Mr. Webb's first steamer did not
arrive at Honolulu till April, 1871. For
several months after April, 1871, neither
line complied with the conditions of the
law, for Halls line ceased to call at New
Zealand, and Webb's line ran only to
New Zealand.
Every cent paid to Halls line was for
services performed before any other line
ran here, and for services performed in
strict conformity with the conditions of
the law, although a part of the money
was not paid, nor the action of the
Council had upon it until after Mr..
Webb's line commenced to run.
1 regard the action of the Council in
aiding the Hall line as only what, under
the circumstances, was due to justice. AT
a good deal of risk he had commenced
an enterprise which, if it succeeded, could |
not but benefit the commercial interests
of these Islands, as well as other subsi- !
dizing Governments. He was the pioneer
in the enterprise, and for three months
before, and nine months after the passage
of the subsidy law, he fulfilled every |
condition of it, putting us in monthly |
with New Zealand and
Australia. He, if any one, deserved the
aid he received. In my opinion, it was
simple justice, and have no question
that every vote cast in the Council for
the measure was upon this ground.
Mr., Webb's line would have received
the same aid under the same circum-
stances. No national or personal consid-
Grafton entered into the measure at ALL
1t was above both, and the desire to do
Justice with entire impartiality constituted
the governing motive of the Council.
So the Government Il think was pre-
pared to aid Mr.. Webb. No feeling but
hat of kindness existed, but the recent
action in refusing TO carry
he mail if the payment of the subsidy
was not made forthwith, coupled with
he charge of violation of its good faith by
he Government, has suspended its action
or the present, and do not see how it can
let, with proper respect for its own dig
lity, until the recent action OF Mr.. Webb
ias been explained. His vessels receive
arge gratuities in the remission of wharf
lge and other government dues, not re-
yuired By any contract or treaty, and his
'efusal to take the mail l regard both i'm
,olitic and unjust, to say nothing of the
.harge of violation of good faith made by
lin. l trust that such reasonable expla-
lations may be made of the recent action
IS to place the parties in friendly relations,
or l can not doubt but that it has oc-
urred by reason of some misunderstood
ng on the part of Mr.. Webb. 1 have
tated such facts as l happen to be in
of, with the views which l
old, for the information of those in
crested who may not have enjoyed as
avorable opportunities of observation as
ny own.
l wish, as resident, interested in the