The Daily bulletin. [volume] (Honolulu [Hawaii]) 1882-1895, 1886-08-28
Continued from pnae =.

of administration, but it had all
ended in compromise hrtwrcn the
fruit producers and the railroads.
This question of freight could he
settled in the SAME manner, and
without resort 10 lrgis'atio
Rep. Dole hell that they had
right TO regulate freights, as shown
by the clause, in the last as well us
the present bill, that the rate of
freight should not he increased. The
theory that it was unwisc to regulate
freightS by law was sound riding
to political economy, but that did
not apply to contract between a
corporation and the Government
such as this was. Where there was
no competition they had a right to
make a rate as they thought best.
Fifty cents bunch was good freight,
as he had been told by business men
it was ample. Mr.. Irwin, in con-
versation with him on the subject,
never said that they would not con-
tinue the service if this was lowered.
Having voted Mr.. Spreckels S72,-
900, he should in turn do something
to promote our prosperity.
Minister Dare said the Oceanic
Steamship Company had line of
steamers that did not belong either
wholly or in part to the Hawaiian
Government. They simply per-
formed specific service in carrying
the mails at so much per month.
That subsidy or pay for carrying
the mails did not confer the right to
this Government to dictate terms or
regulate the Company's freight
charges. That right was not secured
or agreed to in the law of 1884.
The act of 1884 recited: GA sub
sidy of fifteen hundred dollars for
each round trip shall be paid to the
Oceanic Steamship Company for
carrying the mails between the ports
of Honolulu and San Francisco res
pectively, said mail service to be
bi-monthly upon condition that no
increase shall be made from the
prices charged for freight and pas
sengers, over and above what has
been charged since said steamship
line commenced their trips between
said ports, and this subsidy shall
expire on the 31st day of March,
1885," Thai meant that in con-
sideration of our giving them sub
sidy they must not change their
rates to the disadvantage of this
community. The suggestion that
specie could not be charged more
than certain rate was not prece-
dent, for by the law of England
specie was not freight. If the prin-
ciple contended for by the hon.
member for Lihue was correct, let
them see what would be the effect.
This Company received subsidies
from New Zealand, Australia and
America. 1t was absurd to say that
all those Governments giving sub
sides could fix freights. That prin-
ciple was never followed except
where the Government gave rail
roads grants of lands. 1t was
common occurrence for man to
lose money on shipments. In 1868
the speaker shipped three loads of
wheat to England, and lost S25, 900
on them. What banana growers
here received was regulated by the
price of banapas in the San Fran
cisco market. He had given SIS a
bunch for bananas, and again got a
bunch for $1.50. Nor was there
anything in the argument of the
Hon. Noble Cleghorn, for whenever
they reduced the freight the middle
man stepped in and secured the
difference.
Rep. Castle said bananas belonged
to that class of freight which was at
the mercy of common carriers.
They could be carried to their des-
tination or not at all. The carrier
fixed the freight at point that he
thought would not kill the trade, in
this case rs cents. The public de-
mand was perfectly proper, that
they should foster any industry what
ever. With regard to the argument
about various Governments to the
south fixing freights, he did not
know anything, but he knew this,
that formerly the steamship COM
panies were required to run to the
satisfaction of the Governments CIV
ing the subsidies.
Minister Creighton asked whether
the hon. member meant to contend
that's transportation company should
be compelled to make good any loss
that might accrue upon freigh,
carried by it. That was the logica
outcome of his argument.
Rep. Castle said that was not the
point. They had a right to insis
upon terms for a specific service
The Colonies did so when they pai(
subsidy for an extra steamer TO
their mail service.
Minister Creighton said that hac
no reference to the point under con
sideration. They had already fixet
the payment for specific purpose
They had determined that 81, 800 {
round trip should be paid for fort
nightly service, just as the Colonie
had paid for specific mail service
and an extra boat to remain at sgd
ney for fear of accidents. The,