The Hawaiian gazette., 1881-09-21
fconmunIeated.l
asro h. m, no4 70 h. ,,


Industrial Development is not hap-hazard mat
ter. II is not even a matter Of choice. They are
wise people who follow the pursuits best adapted
to their capabilities and to the natural resources
at their command. There has been time when
hawaii imagined that she could compete with
California in growing wheat Large areas of land
were planted, mills we're erected, and for a few
years the energy and the hopes of the planters
Aoated their product. But experience soon proved
that Hawaiian wheat was inferior to California
wheat and the industry disappeared. So also grape
culture and wine making have had a trial En-
thnsiastc individuals have had their day at it-but
long ago have retired to back seats Arrow Root
and Iapioca have had a trial at our solls-so have
various other products which from time to time
have secured brief and diminutive spAce in our
lists of exports. Neither all these, nor wool nor
cattle have come 70 the front as potential pro-
ducts, for giving Hawaii a stang;ing place in the
worlds markets. Our neighbors can grow these
well as we, can outstrip at it in the long run,
can show Us that we have no special advantages
in these lines of industry.
In the course of events and trials at competition
Hawaii has been driven back to one or two agri-
cultural products, to sugar and rice-two products
which her soil is specially adapted to, and which
she can grow proftably IN spite of competition,
and can sell to people who cannot grow them on
their own soil. The development of these facts
have given tendency to the labor, enterprise and
capital of the country-to engage mostly in the
cultivation Of these products-to put progress and
chances of wealth to the pledge Of success in
these lines, in other words to put our national
eggs in one basket
Some people think this unwise. To avoid all
possible contingencies of mishap they prefer to
dissipate effort in a struggle to cultivate every
thing or anything which can be made to grow.
Let the farmers enlarge their products-for with
many things to sell then will come independence
of others. All one-product countries are IN danger
of failure.
When we overhaul our school Biographies we
are reminded of the fact that every country has
some one or two specialites for which they are
noted, some particular line of industry to which
they adhere, which they find profitable and there
fore make permanent employments. France Is
strong in wines and silk, England in iron and
textile fabrics, spain In wines and fine wool, Rus
sia in wheat, tue Western United States in wheat
and corn, Texas in cattle, Australia in wool and
mining. They all have some leading industry or
pursuit which is, as it may be, the foundation of
their national standing and around whiah all their
other pursuits cluster, or indeed, have grown out
of. An ability to grow or make some one thing to
better advantage than ones neighbors and to sell
it with profit on the worlds markets has not been
found to be a bad thing or short sighted to make
it principal pursuit.
1t appears in the cultivation of sugar and rice
that we have found basket which is likely to
safely carry our national egg. Unlike many other
food products they are not quickly perishabe,
they are in constant demand. they are saleable,
they are wanted everywhere. Industrial progress
in this direction is possible and may be relied upon
as a certainty. The forces of nature drive us in
this direction whether we like il or not. HAWAII
is cut out for agricultural country, and such
must succeed or perish.
Failure therefore, because we concentrate upon
raising one or two saleable articles-while ON
theory it may be affirmed as possible-need cause
no anxiety really, for historical facts do not con-
firm the theory.
But says one al do not like the style of de-
velopment from sugar and rice the one tends to
large farms with cheap labor, the other hordes of
Cinnamon" This assertion takes for granted an
inevitable, which is not an inevitable, helpless
ness, which is not necessary in the conduct of hu
affairs EOrfunafn rOincidpnrpG- natural
solution of combating forces solve many a case
skilfull pilotage of ship carries her safely
through aud past rocks. 1t was the other day
deemed possible to obstruct or turn aside lava
flow, no catastrophe is inevitable until it has be-
come fact.
Meantime it is not worth while to quarrel with
natural forces or obstruct clear channels of pro-
gress. nation like a steam engine withoat a
crank pin may be kept moving beautifully, but
the productive machinery will remain at rest, and
the grand outcome will be nothing-the engine
will itself out in useless revolutions and be
finally relegated to the old lumber room of hu-
manity's failures