The Hawaiian gazette., 1881-08-17

We print in another column a circular
of Williams, Dimond & Co., received by
last steamer. When and to whom the
sugars of the next season shall be sold, is
a question, which we hear discussed in
our streets every day-as this circular
discusses ably that very subject it will be
read with close attention. Its appearance
is opportupe and helpful. The sale of a
crop of sugar seems to be simple mat
ter. Undoubtedly in one case it would be
so, if purely commercial rules governed
the negotiation. Both seller and buyer
would stand on equal footing-the tran
saction would be mere matter of calcu-
lation and figures. But this is not our
case. Every season the planter is weight
ed, through his hopes or fears, with new
element, bearing upon the future and his
calculations, or plans, are modified thereby
Naturally from this condition of affairs,
where the seller stands at disadvantage
with the buyer, these hopes or fears
become perplexity.
Whether or not the Treaty will be
extended we do not pretend to know, or
even to have an opinion worthy of special
attention. Most of the newspaper notices,
which have come to us in our files, speak
adversely to its continuance. This may
or may not be an index of the future,
since it Is not necessary for friends to
shew their hands before the question is
fairly under discussion. At present it is
viewed entirely from the trade stand
point, and from this point is discussed in
the circular. When 1888 arrives and a
comparison of statistics shall be in order
IN congressional proceedings, it will be
seen, we believe, that the trade argument
against continuance will be as strong and
be as iercely put as it ever was.
The showing of indirect benefits will be
but feeble defense against the orator
with figures backing up his denuncia- |
tions. Hence it appears to US, that the |
force of this argument will neither be
fortified or weakened, by the disposition |
which meantime shall have been made of |
Hawaiian sugars. 1t cannot be damaging |
to prove that one American citizen rather |
than another has made money, or that one |
city rather than another has secured the |
island trade The sugars will have been |
sold in the American markets, and the |
growth of trade will have been mutually |
shared in by the respective citizens parties
to the Treaty.
We think it is wise for planters to act
now, and for the next two years, on the
calculation, that the Treaty will not be
Only on this supposition are
they upon safe ground-one which meets
the worst contingency. 1t would be a
regret, should it turn out that they had
sacrificed the years of plenty with the
vain hope of escaping the years of famine
With this view of the future it would
certainly be unwise for planters to be over
influenced or overweighted by their fears or
their hopes, as to the ultimate renewal of the
Treaty. To sell their sugars according to
trade rules, to best advantages as shown
at present, appears to be the best plan.
We have no advice to giYe on this point.
We believe, that selling in San Francisco
Dr. elsewhere viii have little or no infu-
snce upon ultimate results. We are
aware, that California from its position of
1earness is the natural and most profit
able market for our sugars, and she has
hitherto proved to be our best Treaty
friend. Yet on the other hand neither
californian, or any other one section of the
Republic, can or ought to drive a close
bargain with us, on the ground that it is
n their power to shape or control the
utre Of the Treaty.