The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1856-1888, 1883-01-06
THE PACIFIC
GOmmertia! Advertiser.


THE statistics of the exports from the
Kingdom during 1882 repeat the story of
1881. There are large Increases in the
quantities of sugar and rice exported, whilst
the other productions of the country APP
pear to be, i'll a great measure, neglected.
In our main staples, we show an increase
of nearly % per cent. in the export of sugar,
and of nearly 60 per cent. i'll that of rice
and paddy. Throughout the line of our
other exports, where there is any increase
at all to be noticed it not only, with one
exception) represents n very small per-
centage in excess of former years but is
also quite insignificant in money value.
The exception referred to is to be found in
the export of bananas, in which an increase
of 40 per cent. is shown. The export of
coffee has fallen off by more than one half
and that of PuLu has become actually ex-
tinct.
Whilst we cannot but look with great
satisfaction on the figures which assure us
Of the large and constant increase in our
exports-an increase the money value of
which for 1882 was no less than $1,414,-
9O4 96-(being 81 per cent. more than
that of the previous year)-it is still a
matter of concern to us to see the minor
producing industries of the country so nearly
in a state OF designation. We do not expect or
desire to see production OH a large scale run
into any new channels at the present time.
1t may be that Nature has given to these
islands, or particular districts of them,
the capabality of producing OH a highly
profitable scale many articles besides sugar
and rice. But the evidence of any such
thing is not before us, the fact if it be such
will nave to be discovered experimentally
or through the practical knowledge of some
one who has gained his experience in
countries where similar conditions exist.
In the mean time there are but these two
well ascertained opportunities for the in
vestment of capital here in the production
of exportable articles. 1t is neither likely
nor desirable that money will be devoted
experimentally in new lines SO long as
the opportunity remains open for its en-
ploymen in enterprises of a class already
known to be profitable. Nevertheless, whilst
we acknowledge that the paramount posi-
ton of our two great producing interests is
the inevitable result of natural circum-
stances, we cannot view without concern
the slow progress which is being made i'll
those mine productive industries which
may be considered as in a great measure the
proper enterprises for the man of small
means. Nowhere in the world is there
greater need than here of enceuragi,e VIZ
o-o -r t--s~~Sfer WHO, whist MS
- cuff available to the capitalist when
required, is himself a producer in a small
way. For such men-the men who W. rk
with their own hands ami by whom small
gains are not despised-there certainly are
a score of things open which at the present
time ARE being utterly neglected, but for
which the soil and climate of the islands
are admirably adapted. The Aumber OF
such people in the country is, in proportion
to our population, far too few. Hence the
. neglect of industries which wa Id swell our
list of exports, and which would provide for
our own consumption many things which
we have now to import.
We are inclined to believe that a little
encouragement and stimulation would lead
many to take up these minor industries
who at present content themselves with be-
ing mere laborers for others. In this direc-
ton a good work will be done by the re-
Gently formed Cor resuscitated) Agricultural
Society. In the constitution which il has
adopted it has undertaken to encourage
every form of industry by which the soil is
made productive, either OF wealth or Of
pleasure. The competition in every depart
ment of production (of which these islands
5 are capable) which the annual shows pro-
jected by the Society will foster, will of it,
self, be no mean instrument for the develop
ment of neglected industries, and of suca a>
=, are as yet untried. And We are given Ia
understand that the SOciety's work will be
: far from being merely confined to the pro-
motion of competition by the offer of prizes
and by giving facilities for the exhibition
Of products. In every practical way the
Board of Management desires to aid n the
development of the %country's resources.
r Great things cannot be done in a day, but
we feel no doubt that if the ideas which led
to the formation of the Royal Hawaiian
: Agricultural Society are allowed to have fair
1 scope, if they are followed with enthusiasm
! and thorough conviction Of their value-the
: sOciety's career will be one of great benefit
q to this country. What it may do in
the way Of developing material wealth we
reckon to be but a small thing i'm cOmpari-
son with the value we would put upon the
, social and political benefits to be derived
= from the encouragement of minor agricul-
! tural industries and the settlement of men
+ ofsmall means upon the soil wherever it is
available for them.