The Daily bulletin. [volume] (Honolulu [Hawaii]) 1882-1895, 1886-11-01

lSTN uVNlbE CNputts ISuCNdl was
agreed upon between the two Gov
in January, 1885 but this
new convention had not been dealt
with by the Foreign Affairs Com
mittee Of the United States Senate
when MIR. Gibsou's report OF the
present year was issued. The original |
convention remains operative pend |
inc the settlement OF the question, |
but the delay and uncertainty have |
had q somewhat depressing effect on
the sugar industries of Hawaii.
There is in the United States n
strong party opposed to the definite
renewal of the treaty, and, accord
ing to Mr.. Gibson, this party Is
composed mainly of those who think
that their personal interests are in
jured by the admission of Hawaiian
sugars duty free. These persons,
adds Mr.. Gibson, have been able TO
influence the opinions of many pro-
minent members of both Houses of
Congress. Indeed, we believe it has
even been suggested by some Ameri-
can politicians that the convention
with Hawaii should not be ratified
unless the Hawaiian Government
consents to cede Pearl River Harbor
one of the most important harbors
in the islands-to the United States.
! Such cession was, indeed, contem-
plated and actually mooted by the
Hawaiian Government itself i'll 1873,
| when the conclusion of n commercial
convention with the United States
was Il matter of vital moment to the
kingdom, but it is certain that no
such proposal would even be enter
tanned at the present time. The
Hawaiians are quite ready to renew
the treaty, but they are not ready to
barter their independence for 1t.
The convention has done its work in
developing the sugar industries of
Hawaii, and these, Hawaiians think,
can now stand alone. sit is m
| furious to our cause,'' wrote Mr..
Gibson to the Hawaiian Envoy at
Washington, "that an impression
should be abroad that Hawaii cannot
do without the treaty-that we are
wholly dependent upon it for pros
perity and continued progress. The
sacrifice OF revenue which Hawaii
makes is proportionately far greater
than that of the United States. Ha-
waii, it should be explained, derives
its chief revenues from an a.
valorem duty of ten per cent levied
on all imports except those which
come from the United States.
"Her chief industry" continues
Mr.. Gibson, "has also become
thoroughly established, her natural
resources have been proved to be so
favorable to it, and the cost of pro-
duction has, during the past few
years, been so much reduced, with
prospect of further reductions,
that at the worst the abrogation of
the treaty can only cause tempo
rary embarrassment here and en-
force the opening of new channels
of trade The new channels OF
trade are not far to seek. BY the
opening of the Canadian Pacific
Railway Canada has become Il for
midable competitor for the trade OF
the Pacific, at present almost mono
polized by the United States. If q
treaty similar to that which the
United States Government hesitates
! to renew were concluded between
Hawaii and Canada, the Hawaiian
export of sugar would at once leave
the United States and 90 to Canada
2 there to be exchanged against com
} modities such as Hawaii wants ant
Canada can easily supply. We un
1 derstand that this alternative ha:
not escaped the attention of tho
: Hawaiian Government. Negotia
tions have been opened through the
, Colonial Office with the Government
of the Dominion, and proposals fol
treaty of reciprocal free trade
: between Canada and Hawaii have
: been not unfavorably entertained
both by the. Colonial Office and by
: the Dominion Government. The
| affair is one which concerns this
| country almost as much as Canada
since the development of the Pacific
trade of Canada and the opening VI
4 of communications with the Eas
. along the Canadian Pacific rout'
: are matters of direct Imperial in
l terest. Besides, if a treaty is con
S cluded between Canada and Hawaii
n it might be found possible to exten'
: its advantages to the United King
t dom by means of supplemental.
n convention stipulating for mos
$ favored nation treatment-a stipu
r lation which is expressly excluded
r by the fourth article of the eNistin.
e convention with the United States
: Another matter in which the Ha
s waiian Government is deeply inter
+ ested is the condition of the neigh
!. boring Polynesian communities
s "Recent events" says Mr.. Gibson
e shave evoked on the part of Hi
h Majesty deep sympathy for com
IS munities kindred in race to the Ha
h waiian, and as capable as the Ha
y waiian of forming for themselves
S under guidance, governments am
l. laws on a civilized pattern, bu
1t whose independence appeared likel
:, to lac Lost 10 thnm for want pf emit