The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1856-1888, 1872-03-16
Transit Privileges.

Our insular position, on the great ocean high
way Of the world between the East and the West,
while it secures for us some undoubtedly valuable
advantages as to the receipt of intelligence and
facility Of travel to and fro, nevertheless has
some disadvantages, from the very fact that these
islands are = contiguous - to nowhere in fact,
after the fashion of Mahomet's coffin, are sus-
pended between heaven and earth. Thus in the
framing of laws for the promotion OF commerce
between the ends Of the earth, the fact that we
are situated contiguous to neither Asia or Amer
ia, or anywhere else in particular, has led to
our being lost sight of and deprived of a benefit
which we should enjoy in common with other
countries, to whom that benefit goes directly
through our own portals. Merchandise shipped
to or from Europe and transferred across the
American continent for New Zealand, Australia,
Tasmania, and doubtless the FIJI and Navigator
Islands, is carried in bond by the Webb line of
steamers, without appraisencnt in the Unitod
States, but the same rule does not apply to mer-
chandise shipped by the same route between these
islands and Europe. This, to us at the time
unexplainable fact, was commented on In this
Journal several months ago, and 4 suggestion
made that the matter be inquired into. BY the
last steamer we are in receipt of the following
correspondence (which has been detained Il month
-by the snow blockade in the mountains) and
(which, coming as it does from the highest author
itv. is quite conclusive. We trust that the antic-
of Mr.. Mcclellan Will be realized, and
that the islands will be ere long included in the
privileges of free transit of merchandise across
the American continent:
US, ". H., 4 Il. NJ. S. s. Line, 81 Exchange Place.
NEW YORK, January 22d, 1872.
EDITOR COMMERCIAL. ADvERTIsER-DEAR SIR -
Under the heading The Australian Line IN your
issue of Nov. %, 1871. there is Il paragraph at the
close of the article which says: Secretary Bout
we'll authorizes the Company to carry merchandise
in bond to and from Europe, to and from New
Zealand and Tasmania, bit not the SdndJcich Isl
lands - and proceeds to ask" What may this
mean,-is it intended to freeze us ont ? !; &c. &c.
If explanation of this matter has not already
reached you from some other source, allow me II
You please to inform you that why this Company
are not yet allowed To carry :" transit goods y TO
and from the Sandwich Islands and Europe, is not
in any sense attributable TO Secretary Boutwell,.
but seems solely occasinned by the absence of
Legislation on the subject, ana is perhaps some
what owing to your insular position, rs you will
observe by perUSing enclosed copy OF the last in
the series of correspondence upon this subject had
with the Secretary by Mr.. Webb, prior 10 his de-
I parture in October last for the Pacific, and which
/ reply was only received after he had started.
| have little doubt that when Mr.. Webb Is here
again. an attempt will be made to have L" transit J"
privileges extended so as to include Honolulu, the
exclusion, most probably. being accidental, or
because, during the preparation and passage of the
act in question (Revenue, July II, lS7O) no
special pains were taken to press the matter upon
the administration.
| am, dear Sir,
Very respectfully yours.