The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1856-1888, 1880-05-29
THE SUBSIDY QUESTION.

WHEN THE Appropriation Bill comes before
the Assembly, there will be many important
items to discuss, not the least of which is the
question Of subsidy to Foreign steam lines.
During the Session of 1873, the Hon. w. NJ.
Gibson, recommended a subsidy of S48, 900 to
be granted to the p. M. S. S. Co. for the bien-
NAL period ending March 31st, 1880. This
question at that time was debated at great
length, and ON a motion that the item should
be erased entirely from the Appropriation Bill,
it was lost By 81 votes to 9. However the
sum asked for, S4S 900 was n~egatived by % to
ID, and finally $50, 900 was fixed upon as an
equivalent for the benefits to be received-27
ayes against Is noes. The fact of so many
dissentients, showed clearly the feeling at that
time. In the present Budget we are asked for
S24, 900 as a subsidy for Foreign Steamer
lines. We naturally infer this for tile P. NJ.
S. 5. Co. Now, as we said before, the prevail
ing idea is, that no subsidy should be granted
unless it be to a nome hne. This is the opinion
of those who . know the facts +" and are not
AZ seeking to make profitable connections on their
own account" The sum of $1,000 per
month, for a monthly mail service, is too much
for this small Kingdom.
The regularity and satisfactory Interpretations
of mails is not doubted, nor is the superiority of
tonnage, speed, appointments and general man.
agement of the p. NJ. s. s.. Co. as set forth by J.
S. o. in the columns of our contemporary, ques-
toned. By the arguments adduced, the unwary
would be led to believe that the payment of %
cents per mile is insufficient for the detour ()
made to call at Honolulu, and the public are also
= r. a. -,b.rorS,oI ia ,rb,o6 tba ao-v,oo
receives from New South Wales and New Tea
land, but we are not reminded Of the facilities
granted to the P. NJ. s.. S. Co. in the shape of
free wharfage. water, pilotage, storage &C., at
this port. Nor are We informed os the amount Of
freight and number of passengers that are trans
ported to and from these islands. We again
assert, il is a decided advantage for the steamers
on the Australian line to call at Honolulu even
without the subsidy, therefore, why should
S24, 900 be quietly given away?
As for Substituting any other foreign line, it is Of
course out Of the question, and should such a bill be
introduced this session, even though supported by a
carefully considered and long-Winded address, there
is no doubt il would meet the fate it well deserves,
and that is rejection.
Another reason why the idea Of q home line should
be considered, is that the mail contract with New
Zealand and New South Wales expires in 1883, and
we are told by that Veritsble authority. ]. s. o, that
il is doubtful whether the Colonies will renew it, and
furthermore, we are assured of its discontinuance if
the Hawaiian Islands withdraw the "small pay
ments which they have heretofore contributed to-
wards the support If the enterprise" If this be
true, let preparation be At once made to protect our
selves in case Of a discontinuanse Of the present
subsidized line.
Suitable steamers can be had for this mail service,
at short notice, il the p. NJ S. s. Co. discontinue
their monthly calls, q move over which they would
think twice before adopting. Nor would it be nee
essary for such steamers even if brought from Eng
land or the United States to risk the perilous voyage
round the Horn" The steamers Of the Occiden-
tai and Oriental line did not come out that way,
nor did the Oceanic pursue that route on her recent
trip to England to re6t. The SueZ Canal route is
on account Of the facilities offered steamers
and the profitable ports Of call, and as Honolulu
has established for itself a similarly good name
In the Pacific, il will continue 10 be touched
at by all mail steamers running between San
Francisco and Australia without any interme-
date subsidy. The ADVERTISER is not subsi-
dised to write for or against the Pacific Mail.
but it openly advocates, and for the public good,
the abolition Of this item IN the proposed
annual payments, and doubts not tbs continua-
ton of As good q service as at present. !