The Hawaiian gazette., 1875-12-15
shall We have an ocean Gable !?

4 EDITOR GAZETTE The importance of this ques-
tion does not seem to be appreciated by the people
Of these islands. Here we are, situated almost in
the track OF the worlds great highway, and vet
Just enough out of it TO cause the China and Japan
Steamship lines TO give US the goby; and Of so lit
tie importance that the threat Of abandonment by
the Australian lines is continually hanging over our
| heads.
whaleships also give US the go-by now, unless
forced to come to US BY absolute necessity. The
rest of the world 90 ahead, while We retrograde.
Were there a cable laid, which touches here on Its
western route from San francisco, and branching,
throws arm 10 Australia, aud the other to Hong
Kong Puck's "girdle around the world in forty
minutes" would then be complete. The result TO
our little Kingdom would be magical. China bound
steamers would swerve from their track 10 report
to their and allow their passengers to com
municate with their friends. Whalers would stop
both ways, coming going, the former to report
progress and get any final instructions from owners
and the latter to report their CATCH" and enable
tine to sell the cargo to the best advantage.
There would then be no uneasiness in regard to
Australian lines. There would be good reason for
their touching and they would do it.
If the grand circular route" is really started,
there would then be good and sufficient reason fo-
their making Honolulu touching point both ways.
We would have plenty OF vessels and the good old
times would return. Planters of sugar and rice
could have reports of the market in California Ore
gOn and Australia upto the day of vessels sailing
and could judge with certainty TO the best
market for their staple. Buyers in San Francisco
Auckland, and other points, could buy by telegraph
Things would be lively. The great question now is
How can we get cable?
By passing law that will offer some inducements
TO foreign company to lay their cable by our port.
/ understand that some years ago offer to land
a cable here was made providing q monopoly for
ten years granted 10 the company, aud that the
Minister of the Interior refused to offer on the
ground that the cable WAS hound to come here
anyway"
Ten years of prosperity thrown away for want of
Il little thought
The act passed by the last legislature consider as
time thrown away toe. No offer worth accepting
was made in IL.
Let US not make the mistake again. Let the first
company who will give US an offer have monopoly
for ten years. They bound TO put their rates
low enough to enable the world to use them any
way, and what little extra amount Islanders will
have to pay when they want to the line, will be
amply made up by the immense advantage accruing
n the country.
The act passed ought to contain as conditions
that the company establish two short cables con-
meeting Oahu, Maui, and Hawaii That the cable
must be laid within stipulated time. That the
Kingdom will not grant similar rights TO other COM
panies for eu years. will protect the lines and other
property OF tine company from damage, aud admit
all vessels engaged in laying cable free Of port dues
aud all material Tree of duty. l would like TO hear
from some of the knowing ones this subject aud
would like TO see good article the SAINT in the
hHokod. UILA.