The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1856-1888, 1876-04-08

Ma. EDITOR After my arrival IN this city, bav-
ing traversed nearly every street from end 10 end
there was otc thing that struck ne az being most
remarkable. and that was that cut Of all the stores
in which goods were exposed fr sale, ! ala not OBJ
serve enc Of which an Hawaiian was the propriciori
they all appeared 70 bokcpt either by white for
oigncrs, Portuguese, or Chinese. asked some u the
cid residents what was the cause q this, and vas
briefly told that the Hawaiiaus had no enterprise
and we're TOO inlolcnt 60 enter into any trade fpccu-
latiQn. no matter how profitable; and that those who
bad means aud were not absolutely forced 10 work
for their living preferred playing cards. keeping up
their hulas. or g~allOping about from place TO place
on horseback. and that in this way they generally
passed their time without either care or thought Of
the future.
Since then / have become acquainted with some
respectable. intelligent and well 10 do llawaiians.
and and that l have been misinformed as 60 the real
cause Of their apparent indifference with regard to
entering into trade. Upon questioning them why
they did not invest their capital in some Kind Of
stock that would meet with quick sales among their
own country people. and upon which they might re
aliEe a fair profit as well as obtain employment that
would save them from wasting their time o. they
were now doing, their replies were invariably 10 this
effect
A "8A - NN@ 49, -
would be 10 them 10 invest their small capital In any
kind u merchandise whatever. - IL would be I'M
possible 10 compete with large wholesale and retail
dealers. owing to difficulties which under present
circumstances could not be overcome. and inslanoed
the following:
"Supposing We could invest say $500 10 start
with. aud could procure our goods from the coast.
the Customs duty. freight and other charges would
amount 10 IL per cent at the least on the cost price,
Then. before a cents worth Of the goods could be
sold We would have TO pay $50 for n retail license.
which would tuck ON 10 per cent more, or In all Pa
per cent, and this would he exclusive Of house rent.
shop fittings, and other incidental expenses.
"On the other hand, II We purchase our goods
from the Wholesale dealers in this city there is siill
the 10 per cent. staring ne IN the face for the license.
Now we would like 60 know, how, under these cir
eumstanees we could expect either to reap any pro-
fit. or in any way compete with large dealers In any
such speculation II may be all very well for those
large wholesale and retail houses through whose
hands probably 500, 900 worth Of stock passes an
nually, say 500, 900 Wholesale and 100000 retail;-
the amount they pay for licenses are. for wholesale
500 per year or in other words ID o. one per cent.
on $4,000, and for retail $50 per year or pnc tenth
Of ono per cent on $4,000. whereas we the small
capitalists would have TO pay on our $500, 10 per
cent. SO now perhaps you will perceive the true
reasons for our seeming lack Of energy or enterprise
in all matters in any way connected with business
speculations." .
The truihfulness Of this reply | could not doubt;
and TO make certain that I was not again misin-
formed | referred 10 Sections 90 and o. Of the Civil
Code, and found that the cost Of licenses were M
stated above.
Now Mr.. Editor, | would like TO offer the following
suggestions for the modification Of this license sys-
TEN. which would enable the native capitalists OF
this Kingdom TO enter into business speculations.
and evoke in them a spirit Of competition with their
foreign n~eighbors:
]. Vendors of merchandise valued az from 600
to 81 900, license free upon declaration being made
before the Clerk 10 His Tx. the Minister Of the In
terror Of the articles to be offered for sale. under a
penalty for violation Of said declaration and subject
TO surveillance by the Police, who might be author
lied to inspect the vendors stock at any time to see
that nothing whatever but the articles enumerated
in the declaration were offered for sale.
2. From 81 900 to $4,000 80 per annum.
3. " 5000 to 10000 go " Z"
[Subject to the above Conditional
4. $4,000 and upwards at the standard rate for
retail licenses, with liability 10 the penalties laid
down in Sections sc to CD Of the Civil Code.
II this modification Of the Licensing system could
be effected, and I think IL could IL you we're 10 kind
ly keep the matter agitated by a few smart editorials
in your valuable paper. IL would confer a lasting
benefit on small capitalists as well as give them some
encouragement TO trade, and ensure you the thanks
and gratitude Of the Hawaiian population Of the
at large.
There is one other item Of the licensing system I
would wish to draw attention TO, and that IL regard
the licenses to proprietors Of viotuhling houses.
As the proprietors Of these houses have 10 keep up
expensive establishments as well a. a surplus supply
Of all articles Of food 10 meet the requirements Of
The public, they must necessarily sustain a loss daily,
they have not only to supply their regular board
ers upon the number Of which they can depeDd)
have to keep food on hand 10 meet the demands
Of casual customers from the country, passengers by
sea route, seameD, &C., and Il Is a well known fact
that food provided for one days consumption cannot
be put on the table the day following. In addition
10 this loss there is another which II not exaoily a
palpable loss amounts 10 nearly the same thing.
There are n number Of lodging house keepers who
board their dodgers, the usual charge being $500
per week for board and lodging. The proprietors Of
.hese houses pay no license whatever, and the result
g that they take away n large portion OF the lepitL-
nate trade Of the licensed yictualers. who notwlth-
standing their utmost eDdeayors 10 cater well and
satisfaction to the public In general have these
'erious drawbacks 10 contend with. There are many
# them however who would submit 10 all this were
hey allowed to keep a small stock Of sundry goods
or sale tunder the one license) TO their customers
md others. whereby they might reap some small
'roht as a per contra TO the losses they are ineyita-
'y subjected 10; and all they now ask for IL that the
.oregoiDg may be brought 10 the notice Of tho in
coming legislature, the members Of which aav ba
Induced TO give the matter their favorable oOnsidera-
ion and order a clause 10 be inserted In their viotu-
ling license permitting them 20 keep on hand
mall stock Of goods for sale, other than those De.
AIRED in the body Of the license. REFoRM.
England and Washington,
An English correspondent writes AZ follows 10 the