The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1885-1921, 1886-05-07
T II Z
THE LEGISLATURE.

The Legislative Assembly disposed of
some business yesterday, and adjourned
early. On motion of Mr.. Cecil Brown
the Appropriation bill was made special
order OF the day for Monday, Wednes-
day and Friday in each week. The OPP
position, led by Mr.. w. Il. Castle, en-
deavored to prevent this, and divided
the Assembly on an amendment to take
up the bill on Wednesday and Friday of
each week The Opposition thought
that two days weekIp would be suffi-
cient; there was no haste about it, and
things might very well go along leisurely
The majority thought otherwise, al
though the argument for delay caught an
unwary vote or two. We congratulate
Mr.. Brown upon his independent posi-
ton in this matter, and regret that the
foreign element of the Opposition should
have committed itself to procrastina-
ton. What do these gentlemen hope to
gain from the decentralization consequent
upon the dissipation of public time? Is
it the good of the country, or some paltry
personal aim they have in view? We
cannot perceive where the public veal
comes in. Perhaps the members referred
to know how their own interests are
likely to be subserved. Hereafter we
hope that the example set by Mr.. Cecil
Brown will be followed by other mem
bers OF the anti-National party in the
Legislature.
The general business did not possess
much interest. Mr.. Kalua put a very
pertinent inquiry to the Foreign Minis
ter regarding Chinese immigration,
calling attention to the fact that since
the prohibitory regulations were prom
ulgated great many Chinese had ar
rived in the country The Foreign Min
lister explained that all arriving were
furnished with passports. Owing to the
pressure for labor by the Planters Labor
and Supply Company last year several
hundred passports in blank had been
issued, but since then none had been
granted except to those entitled to receive
them. The general feeling was that there
were too many Chinese in the country
at present, but the discussion was con-
Quoted in the best possible temper and
was certainly in striking contrast to
similar discussions in the States.
The idea of borrowing is growing upon
the Legislature. Mr.. Nahum of South
Kona presented a petition requesting the
passage of a bill to borrow a sum not ex-
ceeding $1O,0OO,O00, and backed it up
with another petition to the effect
that a policy OF borrowing for repro
ductive internal improvement works
be adopted. There can be no doubt the
people at large understand the advan-
tage OF pledging the public credit to raise
funds for works of permanent public
utility, and it only depends upon the
Legislature to act wisely upon this popu-
lar impulse to ensure prosperity. The
internal resources of the Kingdom have
hardly begun to be developed, and it
will be an exceedingly slow process in
deed if they are to wait development
by unaided growth. The revenue of
the Kingdom is sufficient for all ordi
nary purposes of Government, but
loan must be raised if needed and i'm
portant improvements are to be carried
out. The country, we think, will be
unit upon this point.
A committee was appointed to present
the Address in reply to His Majesty,
after which the Legislature adjourned.