Saturday press. [volume] (Honolulu, H.I.) 1880-1885, 1883-09-01
REcIpRocrrr pIrH HiU.ifL
4 rigorous Presentation.

and climate are particularly well adapted TO
the growth Of ihi, staple, Of which the islander,
exported $1,000 tons in 1882, or about - per
cent Of the world annual crop, which was g.
on 900 tons, according to Spo1od's American
Almanac Tor 1882. Nearly all Of the island
sugar has been consumed hitherto in the
Pacific States.
The profits on this crop arc divided between
two parties the island planters and the Cali.
fornia redncrs. There are about 100 plan
tations in the islands, with 90 sugar mills anil
an invested capital Of $4,000, 600; Of this two.
thirds Is owned by Americans. BY the reel.
pocaity treaty which went into operation in
September, 1870, the island planters send
their crude sugar, free ~ duty to any American
port. They consequently send most Of 1t to
san Francisco, where it Is handled by a nalur.
allied German. Mr.. Claus Spreckels, who has
the largest sugar refinery in the world Mer
refining the island sugar he sells it to the
citizens Of his state at a price little lower
than it can be imported for from the East or
from any other quarter still, like most other
imported staples, sugar is dearcr in California
than 1t is in the East. Very little other than
the Hawaiian sugar IS now brought TO san
Francisco. Mr.. Sprcckels thus provides sweet.
ness. il not light, for all California. Naturally
he makes a large profit in the business Of sugar
refining: having as yet no rival in il. And
very naturally the Eastern refners, who are
unable to sell their sugars in California quite
as cheaply as Mr.. Sprcckcls can sell the island
sugars, are disturbed over the situation. They
call Sprcckcls grasping monopolist, and
demand The abrogaion OF the reciprocity
Now for the other side Of the question; a.
The American planters in Hawaii have found
reciprocity a good thing, because they can
now, and for the first time, make good profit
on their crops. (2.l The Califomians get their
sugar a little cheaper than they could get it
from the East, and much more than that, the
sugar industry has developed their trade with
the islands and also gives support to about 10,
600 people in California. The benefit is a mu.
tua benefit There are Californian, as well as
Hawaiian, business men who think that the
reciprocity treaty has done a good thing in
building up the thriving business between San
Francisco and Honolulu. 1t is good thing
they say, that Hawaii and California should
trade upon a large instead Of upon a small
scale; for Hawaii, namely; to grow large
quantity OF sugar instead of small, and
to exchange it with California and the
Eastern States for large instead Of a small
quantity Of American products. 1t Is true that
on our side We resign considerable sum in
duties. But we don, lose dollar. Are the
interests OF the government something distinct
from the interests of the peoplc2 and which is
better for II, in the long run heavy duties and
a languishing trade OF large and growing
trade unchecked by dutiesp The California.
Hawaiian trade has but just begun. In 1875
the average yearly importations Of the island
were, from all sources, but ST. s25,a54; in 1882
they imported over 100000 worth, about
threefouuh OF which was from the United
States.
Now, it would certainly seem to be a mu-
tually beneficial arrangement that California
should receive her supply Of sugar from the
least expensive source, especially when Amer.
lean planters are the chief producers; nor
would il seem unreasonable that the American
rehner in California should divide with the
American planter in Hawaii the immediate
profit, The Hawaiian Islands are practically
an American colony already, and from either
the political or the business point of view the
ordinary mind does no, perceive nj a glance
what fatal objection can he brought agains, the
reciprocity treaty with Hawaii rs is stands.
To the ordinary economs, it would seem well
that American interests in Hawaii should con.
Time to be developed, and the 10000 Cali
iornians and Oregonians should find their sup.
port in the industries that depend upon the
sugar business; nor would il seem i'll tina,
consumers in the Pacific States should get their
sugar cheaper, though il be only trnc
cheaper. from the California than from the
Eastern refncrics.
But see, now, how completely mistaken the
ingenious economist may be- This treaty
with Hawaii is assaulted lay active enemies, who
denounce it as growing evil, and also are
sparing no trouble to procure lis abroga,ion
Who are the enemies Of Hawaiian reciprocity2
The Eastern susarrehners and the Louisiana
sugar.growers. What do they say against the
irca,y' These are their Arguments;
First-Thosc who are interested in the dis.
continuance of the treaty say that the California
consumer pays cents pound more for sugar
than is paid by the consumers in the East.
That is true, and who is to blame TOT ip It's
the Iaul, OF those who leave Mr. Spreckc.s to
an undispuicd monopoly, and the situation
will last until some Eastern OF other competi.
tors enter the field to divide and TO lessen The
profits OF the California refinery, Bu, il is also
true, as have pointed out, that the Cali.
iornian gets his sugars cheaper ,hnn he could
get il from the East. Il is sold AT price de.
termine,l by the markc, OF the world, and no,
by Mr.. spreckels. The present monopoly is,
IN the nature OF things, no, one that can last
indefinitely; !, is one Of the situations which
will adjust themselves by the natural laws
Of supply and demand.
Second The Eastern re6ners and others
poin, ont that the United States have given
up large income in remi,iing the tax on sugar,
and they claim tina, this loss is uncompensalcd.
VIA, are the iaets1 Before the treaty the
island sugar crops ranged Tor five years liS7S n
at from ii,Soo to $1,000 tons per annum.
Inc duties on ia,ooo tons about $500, 600
were what We're actually resigned by treaty.
The islands paid in 1880 duties on only S,6,,.
ooo worth OF American goods. On the lace Of
II, the United States Government Is undouht.
eily SO much Oh, OF pocket by the treaty, But
the country Is still game, through the great
business thai has come through the treaty.
Third Il is charged thar Manila sugars are
impossed Al lloaolua and iradalen,ly exported
a. Hawaiian 10 e,ade tbs duty know this