The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1885-1921, 1886-07-27
T II e
TUESDAY
July 9th.
THE LEGISLATURE.

THE LEGISLATURE.
The Legislative Assembly yesterday
applied itself for some time in the fore
noon to the consideration of items in
the Appropriation bill. The bill was
considered in Committee of the Whole,
the items under review being in the De-
partment of Foreign Affairs An item
OF $4,000 was voted as a contingent fund
for the entertainment of distinguished
foreign guests. 1t was explained that
this item was necessary. There were
claims upon the Government in connec-
ton with the visit of Prince Oscar of
Sweden, amounting altogether to about
$1,000, in addition to those already paid.
1t was incumbent upon the Government
to show acts of courtesy to members of
reigning families who might visit the
country, as also to entertain special en-
bassies sent from friendly Powers to do
honor to some particular occasion. The
Japanese Government had sent an
embassy to attend the coronation, as a
mark of respect to His Majesty and the
Government of this Kingdom, and it was
proper that they should be received
with distinguished attention, as had
been the case. There was no appropri-
alton to meet the expenditure when
Prince Oscar visited these Islands, but
the Government could not afford to let
that illustrious Prince and his suite pay
for everything they required, and His
Excellency Mr.. Gibson had also enter
tanned these distinguished visitors at
q large personal outlay The Prince
and Princess of Wales might be ex-
pected to visit these Islands on their re-
turn from their Australian trip, which is
now virtually decided upon, and it was
necessary that the Government should
have funds to entertain them in a man
ner befitting their exalted rank and the
friendship which England has ever
manifested towards this Kingdom. Dur
ing the debate upon this item His Excel
lency Mr.. Gibson directed attention to
the large expenditure of foreign Govern
ments in entertaining His Majesty the
King during his tour around the world,
while this country also paid 500 900 on
the same account.
Another item which led to consider
able debate was a vote of $25, 900 for
educating Hawaiian youths abroad. 1t
was explained by the Minister of For
eign Affairs that So 900 was owing from
the past biennial period, while $4,000
odd was required to pay for students
who are now abroad leaving less than
$4,000 available to replace those who
have died or returned. The necessity of
the vote was not generally questioned,
but some doubt was expressed by Mr..
Castle as to whether the results justified
the outlay Another point also was
raised in regard to the selection of
youths for foreign education. Mr. Ka-
lua thought this should be left to the
Board Of Education, and that only those
who had distinguished themselves in
their studies and conduct in the home
schools should be selected. This was
not the rule at present however. The
vote was agreed to.
In reference to the debate on this
item it is perhaps proper to say that it is
too soon to look for actual results In
the case of the student sent to China, he
had returned owing to recent disturb
ances in that country; but the two
youths in Japan are receiving a first
class education at Government institu-
ton, and on their return they would be
of great use in our dealings with the
japanese people among us. In Italy
our two students are receiving a sound
military and naval education, and their
scientific studies will fit them for future
usefulness as civil engineers should they
devote themselves to that profession.
And so of other students in England and
Scotland. Doubtless this experiment
deserves attentive observation and
thought. The purpose, of course, is to |
benefit the country as whole by fitting
native Hawaiians to fill Offices of the /
highest responsibility and trust. This /
is a proper object for the expenditure of
public money and the exercise of pater-
nal control by the Government Like /.
anything else it may be abused, but the |
instances quoted yesterday in the com
mittee debate do not appear to be at all |
conclusive on that point.
Upon re-assembling after the midday |