The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1856-1888, 1876-06-03

We HAVE before expressed our views against
the proposed increase of appropriations for
military, and are assured that like opinions are
very commonly entertained among the more
thinking of our community. In fact, the lowest
previous figure at which these appropriations
have been put, are by many thought to be
altogether more than adequate to the needs of
the country. But the social aspect, aside from
the mere useless expenditure of the national
revenue, is one equally grave in its significance.
1t is suggestive at first, of a deficiency of clear
vision into those distractions of morality upon
which alone should be founded the superstruct-
ure of government, and which should actuate
those with whom the several functions of the
state are entrusted. Nor are the class of persons
for whom these appropriations are specifically
made, themselves exempt from the influence of
characteristics borrowed from their superiors
and immediate rulers. Layishness in them, and
a disregard for the interests of the community
as contra-distinguished from those of their OVID,
which are specifically distinct but beget an
increased desire to pander to self. The unneces-
sary enlargement of such a feeling as this among
any class in a community cannot be other than
subversive in its tendency of that perfection of
order which it is most necessary should receive
the extreme of encouragement. And now what
is our condition, in this regard, here? We are in
reality poyerty-stricken and further than for
the purposes we have previously indicated, VT
are really not in need of any military establish
ment. For the interchange of national eourtesies
or the immediate protection of the persons of
our Sovereign and the Royal Family, q limited
guard may be necessary, although we have every
reason to consider that without ~sOldiery, His
Majesty throne would be safe and the surround
ings of himself and family sacred. But when
increased appropriations are asked for under
circumstances of such depression and such vital
meaning to the nation at large in more ways
than one when agriculture and internal i'm
provements are suffering, and when petitions
from all parts of the land are flowing In to tell
of the wants that are daily increasing from the
effects of lavish expenditures upon ornament,
ami other useless things, it becomes the duty of
all who are interested in the welfare of the
nation and the perpetuity of the throne, to utter
at this time a protest against the same.
Still encourage this disposition that has been
eyinced, and adhered to with unbending
pertinacity, by the present administration and
the end is not far off when utter beggary may
be the result. So far, however, the disposition
of the Legislature, whether for or against, has
not been made known in these matters. We
hone then it may be fully appreciated BY them,
that in regard to the military, a large portion of
the proposed expenditure is meant for others
than the Kings Household Guards for volun-
teers who render service only in compliance with
their own inclinations, and the dependence to be
placed on whom on occasions where peace and
order require their aid, is extremely questionable.
Moreover. we know that aside from those who
are actuated by feelings of loyalty, there are
many who ioin as volunteers for the mere
eremntion from taxes that membership entities
them to: and the country can i'll afford such
CONDENSATION for no possible benefit to be
derived. With no prospect of actual work
before them for the benefit of a common cause,
their time in mere parade is wasted, whilst their
accoutrements are becoming the source of an
increased common expense. ldleness IN many
instances is thus encouraged, and vices attend
ant thereon are largely increased. No one
among us can say that we have not witnessed
the increasing tendency to latitude that the
institutions of military, in a country where
their aid is never called into requisition, is
fostering among the more illiterate of the natives
who claim membership.
The connexion between population and EN-
pIoyment should never be lost sight Of. Popula-
ton is affected by employment directly, as 1t
affords the only medium of distribution By which
individuals can obtain from the common stock q
supply for the wants of their families 1T effects
population Indirectly, as it %augments the stock
itself of provision, in the only way by which