The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1885-1921, 1886-07-01

| anything.
Mr.. Aholo continued: If the indebted
ness of the Government, outside of bonds
amounted to $4,000, they might perhaps
| pass an Act authorizing the Minister of FL
nance to pay 1t off. If $4,000 was what
they were frightened about they might
make some provisions 10 meet it. How
were they going 10 meet that Indebtedness
by postponing the Appropriation bill? He
thought the resolutions were a little lame
and incomplete in being addressed to the
Minister of Finance.
Mr. Brown-Mine was TO His Majesty IS
Ministers.
Mr. Aholo-If the last one was to all the
Ministers, perhaps they should have the
information before now. He thought if
the resolution asked each Minister to state
what was owing in his own department,
then if they failed TO comply with it he
would say it was very bad conduct on their
part. They all knew that the health of the
Minister of Finance was poor. When he
came there he had great difficulty in speak
ing. His voice did not sound natural.
Mr.. Kalua had said the Minister of Finance
told him outside that the country owed
over million dollars. What more in
formation did the honorable gentleman
want? He was not in favor of postpOning
the Appropriation bill.
Mr.. Brown thought the members had
misunderstood the resolution. 1t states
that the Appropriation bill be deferred
until such time as an itemized account of
debts owing by the Government be fur
nished. That leaves the consideration of
the Appropriation bill in the hands of the
Ministers. They have the privilege of
answering it now or five minutes hence.
The sooner the better. No one wanted to
get through with business quicker than he
did. They came here day by day, and
neglected the business of the House and
the State. The resolution will not post
pone business unless the Ministers so wish
it. There is work enough on the Secre-
tary's table for the next three weeks If
the Government did not furnish the item
lied account by that time, then they could
bring in resolution of want of confidence.
The resolution should pass, if alone to
show Ministers that they cannot trihe
with the House.
that the Ministers relied or the good ma
ture of the House, and do not care to reply.
They had sat here six weeks, and so far
there is no answer to the resolution. They
might as well put the carved idols of for
mer days on the Ministerial seats. 1t is
cOntemptuous treatment of the House and
the members belonging to it. The House
had been indulgent, and waited several
weeks, and was now tired of waiting. Mr..
Brown says we might give them further
time, and if no answer was then received,
pass vote of want of confidence. They
were fully justified in passing such vote
now and the whole country would sup
port them. Mr.. Kaulukou and Mr.. Aholo
acknowledged the propriety of seeking the
information, yet opposed the resolution.
That was inconsistent. They are trying to
bolster up a crumbhng Ministry, but find
it hard work. 1t reminded him of piling
up watermelons in a heap-there was al
ways some of them rolling about. He ap-
pealed to the self-respect of the House that
it demand the information, and not go on
with the Appropriation bill until it was
forthcoming. They have admitted being
in debt. Why try to conceal the fact? 1t
reminded him of an ostrich when in dan
ger; it runs as far as it can, and then stops
and buries its head in the sand in the hope
the hunter would not see it. The Minis
ters were trying TO initiate the ostrich,
with similar success. That was the kind
of a Government they were trying to sup
port. He had heard various amounts
mentioned as the Indebtedness of the Gov
eminent. He did not know how much it
was, however, and Mr.. Aholo says the
Ministers do not know. He believed
they did know, and were defying the
House and would not give the in
formation unless they were compelled. 1t
is not obstructing business in passing the
resolution, but will further it, for if we
have to go on with the appropriation with
out the information we shall only have our
work to do over again. They seem to get
along without the Minister of Finance;
they had to do so while he was in Louisville.
He had heard that Mr.. Hayselden was
really Minister of Finance. Two resolu-
tons had been passed and not replied to.
Were they going back of their record. and
going to sit on their marrow bones and
wall OIlIll cilO vi Tie SSSSAOlI. Ahcy
could send the Ministers out of their seats
if they wished to. Let them pass this reso-
luton, and if they did not get the informa-
ton, why let them get a Ministry that
would give it.
Mr.. Kaunamano was not in favor OF the
resolution. They had come there to work
and not retard business. The resolution
states that the Ministers furnish the infer
nation in writing, but as there are only
three of them present, the reply would not
be complete. This was simply feeler to
bringing in resolution for want of conf
dence. He did not say that was Mr..
Browns motive, still he could not help but
think it was feeling the way, He thought
the Assembly ought to go on and dispatch
business. There are a number of bills to
be considered, but the Appropriation bill is
the most important of them all There are
Government officers who will require their
salaries.
Mr.. Aholo said he was not trying to
prop up the Ministry If they want to
bring in a resolution for want of conf
dence, let them do it; there was nothing
in the way to hinder them. They were
now in the Department of the Interior, the
Minister is present, and they could ask
him as to the amount of the debts. Then
when they go to other departments ask the
ouoSfinDS of tho Minic+arS he