The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1856-1888, 1880-02-21
Ministerial Utterances.

tentiOn. The King can do no wrong: his Minis
tiers are responsible'-that is the maxim that is
we'll understood, and which must commend itself
70 every careful thinker. So, therefore, when on
a recent occasion-the evening of the Sd inst. at
a large public meeting at the native church of
Kaumakapili-His Excellency 5. K. Kaai, Minis
ter Of Finance, made an address explaining his
views Of government policy, we have secured
q translation Of the same, which we here append.
Mr.. Kaai, who is n born orator of the ancient
Hawaiian type, spoke as follows:
Nv friends and fellow counrymen! We have
gathered here tonight to consider the policy of the
coming legislature. and to hear the views OF candi-
dates. But before taking up that subject l ask
your indulgence for a moment to mention a matter
which Is quite noted in every part of the city, be-
ing i manifesto or printed sheet which has been
circulated Dy one Of the gentlemen whose names
are before you as candidates. Therein be publicly
declares that Hawaii nei needs to borrow ten mil
lions OF dollars! Let me ask, in all seriousness,
how shall we even dream Of assuming such a bur
den OF debt! For myself, | declare that. as one oil
the people, any such project plainly involves the
dragging of the nation down into ruin and de-
Struction. So far our government has borrowed
hut little. comparatively. but even that small debt
l. not yet cancelled. We have borrowed for ueces-
sary purpUsrs-water works and other improve
ments-all legitimate objects shall We propose to
borrow blindly for no sensible object whatever!
Never IL would simply be committing political
suicidr. The true policy of our craftsmanship
should be. to so manage that our receipts shall al
ways exceed uur expenditures, The author OF the
publication to which L have alluded says we want
to build Hospitals on each of the islands, but be
gives us no estimate as to what will be the proba-
hle cost Of such Institutions. But the climax OF
absurdity is reached in the proposition that we
shall build forts and purchase war ships! We
have no men to control and occupy or use such
affairs, let alone the means of paying for them.
and as we read this extraordinary manifesto it
would seem that ii is proposed to buy big guns
enough To cost five millions at once. before we have
any forts or ships Then We were told as to the
location Of the proposed tor.s-One each on DIa-
mOnd and Coco Heads, nowhere else. By this
means it is probably intended to protect Honolulu
harbor but how about Waianae and Waialua, left
undefended. and where an enemy could easily land
and give ms a fire in the rear? And moreover, let
us ask. is this Island Of Oahu only to be thought
Of2 How about Hawaii, Maui, Molokai, Lanai and
kauai--are we going to cede them away? So it
would seem from the proposition that our forts are
intended for the defense OF Oahu only, while those
other islands will be quite exposed to the attacks
OF the enemy. Thus il seems that the jewellers on
this island are the only ones we are to have any
solicitude about or care for. But all this talk
about guns and Notifications is the merest drivel
and nonsense.
"a. The last past year has been one of unprecedent-
ed prosperity in the history of our government,
from the time of its first establishment. The coming
Legislative session will perhaps see the entire ma
tiOnal Indebtedness paid off. ] tell you plainly
that is quite capable of accomplishment, startling
as the proposition may sound to you. Now is 1t not
the wisest thing for us to do at this juncture in our
aGairs,-wipe out our old debt while we are in
funds. At all events, don't let us be in haste to
get rich. If we have $500, 900 in the Treasury the
present year, next years balance will probably be
5000. 900. SO that at the next biennial fiscal period
we may be able to show 81, 600, 900, and that too
without borrowing.
IL stand before you tonight, fellow-citizens, in
my character as one Of the people, not in that of a
Crown Minister. The latter | may lose at any
time-possibly to-mOrrow-but my right as one
of the people to freely express my opinion on all
| matters connected with the good of the nation at
large cannot be taken from me by any power on
earth
What is the state Of things that we have to
meet today ? Never an election by the people
passes but the influence OF government authority
is in some way interposed. Why this is so, l can
not here explain that ii is so is a cause for aston
ishment to me. and must be to every true lover of
his country. While the government is being con-
Quoted safely and justly, with honesty endeavOring
to advance the public interests. what more does
rank and position crave for, that II must openly
step down and undertake to meddle in matters
that do not belong TO it, While our Sovereign is
invested with the Executive power is represented
in the Assembly by his Ministers has the creation
Of the Mobiles why, to my apprehension ii
would seem that two-thirds of the loaf of bread
were already in the possession OF the powers that
be. leaving the one-third to us, the people. And
yet, by the look OF things, authority is not stated
with its possessions, but is stretching out its
hands for the small portion remaining to us.
.'In common with opinions that have been
generally expressed, | am OF the view that some
amendments should be made in our taxation laws,
in order to render them more equal on the rich
and the poor. At present. in some respects the
very poor man pays Just as high a tax as the COM
paratiyely rich man. AS for instance, i'll own two
vehicles and ten or more horses, l pay no more
road tax than the man who owns neither waSzY-
nor horse and plOds along on foot. l don't think
that the reduction of some of our taxes GSuld i'm
pOverish the government, any MOI IAN I think
that the borrowing Of ten millions would really
enrich il.
In view Of these considerations which | have
/ stated. 1 am YER dpaIrnnS that We ahnulH alanf
some persons maintaining sound views on these
important subjects. l think, also. that it is impeI-
ap:e for us to choose two foreigners to represent
this city, which Is entitled to four members.
Aside from any other reasons, it will be only JUS 4
tice to those who have large material and PERSONAL
interests in Hawaii nei. They are entitled to claim
a voice in the making of the laws under which they
live. Two and two for this city will be only q
fair division. Now, il the ticket which is common
ly spoken Of as - the Crown ticket shall be elects
ed. with their ridiculous and visionary PLATFORM,
as set forth by that side, we may expect some
queerly One-sided attempts at legislation. ignoring
or attempting to injure, the important foreign ele-
ment in our population. The combined wisdom
represented on that ticket, in my estimation, falls
considerably below the requisite standard for leg
islators. / don't see in them the stuff from which
to make debaters. Consequently ] tell you frank
ly that ] oppose their election, and | hereby advise
you all TO vote against the so-called So Crown
ticket"
In regard to the young chief Kunuiakea. 1
have learned that be is very anxious to get into the
Legislature. and that he is popular. The only rea-
son l can think for his preference by the voters is,
that ancient Unborn feeling Of reverence that exists |
among us Hawaiians for the blood Of the old chiefs. /
There is certainly no other. Seriously thinking !
over any possible claim to fitness tor the position
of a legislator To be found in him, 1 am compelled
to drop him as quite empty and actually void. But
there are a number of reasons which have been
stated in my hearing why his election would be
really Objectionable ; if any one here present will
speak for bin, and controVert what | am about to
say / would ask them TO do so. What has he ever
done for himself-to begin with Or for anybody
else,-that should entitle him to ask us to make
him a Representative of the people There is
there can be-no reply. At this very time he is
living under the control OF q guardian, and why ,
Would that be the case if he were able to take care
OF himself or his interests? We all know that he
can't and is that the person we are going to send
to look after the interests of the nation? Love for
the chief is one thing-the work of a legislator is
another. The former is important and praise
worthy, something that we should always cherish
and be jealous Of; but as one OF the people-one of
you'll firmly set my face against this idea of tradi-
tioual love for the chiefs lending us into Such an