Saturday press. [volume] (Honolulu, H.I.) 1880-1885, 1885-04-11
BLEssIy8S ~ DIsG UTsF.

BLEssTy8S ~ DISGUISE.
While the inclination to deprecate
the want Of activity IN various lines OF
business is so prevalent that many are
continually bcmoaning the dull times,
We would like to help such to look
with more hopefulness upon the con
dition OF trade as now existing. The
ideas presented by number OF. busi-
ness men and others that times are not
as bad as they might be; that other
places are passing through like period
Of business depression; and that con
tlnually crying "woli is frightening
cautious men into timidity and driving
tlmid ones out Of the country, have a
stronger semblance Of truth in them
than people will be willing, generally,
to admit When we take into con
slderation the continued heavy ex-
portatioI. OF doIgestic produce that has
taken place the past quarter and com
pare the same with the value Of inn
portations ior the same period, 1t will
be seen how much is in favor of the
commercial credit OF the country.
Each trip OF the Mariposa and Ala
media of late has averaged nearly a
quarter of million dollars value in
domestic exports, and for the three
months ending March SIst, the total
value OF all exports from the islands
foots up $a,639475. 20, gain over the
same period Of last year Of $3.50, o,65467.
rhc valuation OF importations we can
only obtain approximately, but from
The best means available they show a
valuation Of $62a,0o5, which, as com
pared with last years first quarter,
show falling off of $4a4,S97, exclu-
sive of coin imports (for these figures
we are indebted to the courtesy Of
oollector-gcneral of customs, Col. {. p.
Iaukea). This, on its face, shows
healthy condition OF trade, but
we will 90 further and endeavor TO
show wherein We are actually expert
encing blessing in disguise.
Ii is needless to reiterate here the
causes that have led to the present
condition OF things, But recognizing
the fact that period Of trade inactivity
is upon us, it is but meet and proper
that we should stop in the whirl Of i'm
petuosity from our seven years OF
plenty and learn the blessing of
economy, even though it be from
necessity. And this must needs be
general to be effective. The long spell
OF over importation engendered ex-
travagance among our people, reckless
ness with some importers, creating a
false estimate OF the business capacity
of the islands and an unstable basis OF
government revenue. The recent
lessons in currency and exchange have
been means OF enforcing care in i'm
port orders that could hardly have been
brought home to dealers in any other
way. This, in turn, modities the re-
ouirements of trade, lessons the public
revenue and helps to stay the squan-
dering propensi,les of an eXtravagant
government. And while we are ad.
monished to economy in public busi-
ness and private life, II is creditable to
us if we turn with more diligence to
the development OF new industries OF
revive dropping ones. 1t is no evidence
of wisdom TO lock up capital at such
times as these when opportunities fol
proftably developing the industries o.
the country present themselves ; it is
suicidal Various projects OF late have
been suggested, and some are being
looked into with the encouraging pros
pee, Of greatly benefiling the islands
providing they are taken hold OF pro
perly by property owners and capital
lists, Ii new industries and enterprise
are entered upon, and our existing one'
prosecuted with vigor the lessons o
the hour tor intelligent, economy ant
persevering industry will not have beer
in vain.