The Daily bulletin. [volume] (Honolulu [Hawaii]) 1882-1895, 1889-10-04

GentlemeR:--As o Committee re-
presenting public meeting of Ha-
waiian citizens you have asked from
His Majesty's Ministers certain in
formation concerning their action in
regard to the relations between this
country and the United States of
America.
Feeling that it is the right of the
people to know the policy of the
Administration, the Ministers take
pleasure in informing you that they
have for long time had under con-
sidcration the practicabiiity of cX-
tending our treaty relations with
the United States so as to enhance
and increase both the commercial
and political benefits which the two
countries now enjoy by reason of
existing treaties.
AS the result of nearly i years
consideration of this subject by the
Cabinet, our Minister Resident at
Washington has been instructed TO
ascertain whether the Government
of the United States is willing to
entertain propositions looking to the
end above indicated, and, should he
find such willingness TO exist, he is
instructed to open negotiations with
that Government for the conclusion
of ~ Treaty which will effect the
purposes hereunder indicated.
This statement Of the present sta
tus of the'subject renders It unneccs,
sary to say that no proposition has
been made or accepted by the Unit
ed States and that no Treaty has
been submitted to His Majesty for
signature.
The reasons which have moved
the Cabinet TO adopt the course
above Indicated are numerous, and
while an exhaustive enumeration
and discussion of such reasons
would exceed the scope Of the pre-
sent reply, a summary of the more
salient among them is as follows -
FIRsT: The history of our staple
products during the past thirteen
years has demonstrated how essen
lial to our commercial prosperity
are the advantages secured TO us by
the existing Treaty.
The development of our export
trade from S2,24l, 04l in 1876 to
Sll ,707 ,59S in 1888, during the
life of that Treaty, with its attend
ant advantages to all our citizens
and residents, are witnesses Of its
stimulating effect upon our indus
tries and commerce. and its beneti-
cent influence upon our national
welfare, and are fresh illustrations
of the principle that no great ma-
terial advantage can be enjoyed by
any class dependent upon labor
without the entire community par
taking Of such benefits.
By the terms of the existing Reel
procity Treaty with the United
States, notice of termination within
one year thereafter may be given in
five years from now.
The interval between 1888 and
1887, during which time the Treaty
was subject to termination upon a
years notice, illustrated the evil
effects to our commercial wcll-be-
ing, of dependence from year to
year, for the continuance of our
treaty relations, upon the uncertain
humor of the American Congress.
The uncertainty involved has an
unsettling effect upon capital, and
is detrimental 10 the making of
large permanent investments, many
of which now contemplated rcQuir-
ing heavy preliminary expenses.
With only the certainty of five
years continuance of the Treaty Z;
the experience of the recent past in
mind, and the strong probability
that renewed and strenuous efforts
will he made by our opponents in
the United States, TO terminate the
Treaty at the end Of the five years,
it is the part of wisdom to prepare
in the day of prosperity for the
days that are to follow.
SECOND: At the last session OF
the United States Congress there
was developed "A strong movement
looking to the reduction of sugar
duties and the payment of bounties
upon sugar of American production.
The effect of this would he to dis
criminate against Hawaiian sugars
in favor of American, and material
| ~ reduce tS us the value of the ex.
isting Treaty without any cores
ponding benefit.
We believe 1t to be the duty OF
the Hawaiian Government to en-
deav0r to secure the placing OF our
products upon the same basis rs
American products in respect OF
bounties and privileges.
THIRD: The existing Treaty i.
limited in its extent. A large mum,
Der OF American products still pay
duties in the Islands, while the pro,
ducts admitted by the Treaty free
of duty into the ports of the United
States are practically limited tc
sugar, rice, bananas, hides and tai
lnw.
There are many articles which
might be protitably produced here,
upon lands which are not available