The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1885-1921, 1889-07-24
CONDITIONS OF TRADE.


The closing out of the grocery en-
terprises Of Messrs. Wolfe & Co. and
G. w. Hart in this city, indicates that
the opposition in this line of bust
ness is too large for realizing ade-
quate profits to all that are engaged
In this pursuit. When it is consid-
cred that the Portuguese, Chinese
and japanese grocery business is for
the most part ''corralled" by mer-
chants of these nationalities, it is
apparent that the grocery stores of
the city are quite numerous enough,
for the supply of that kind of goods
to white families and natives. How
ever much these facts are to be re-
GREETED, they cannot be ignored, and
it must be admitted that those en-
gagged in the business referred to,
find more spare time than they wish.
Retail grocery stores have in
creased during the last decade; but,
unfortunately, the demand has not
kept pace with the extended supply,
and hence the reduction in the num-
Der of customers has reduced the
profits at each store. While the
oldest established firms may nam
tain payable trade, it must be very
uphill work for more recent enter
prises, and the less successful of
these have sooner or later to close
out.
What is true of the retail grocery
trade is also true of other lines OF
business; although perhaps not tc
the same extent, or at any rate not sc
apparent. Retail clothing and hab-
erdashery stores have recently suf
fered from keen competition, and
some of those more recently estab
lished in this line of business have
discontinued the strife against diff
culties standing in the way of success
Not alone do the retailers suffer
but because of trade being so mucl
linked and dovetailed among th'
whole business community, mechani
cal trades of some kinds suffer il
proportion. New buildings, the grea
source of income to most mechanics
are not being erected at present 81
numerously as in former years, an'
we realize that provincial improve
ments are greatly needed to accele1
ate the material progress of tn
metropolis.
We have much hope, however, il
the future. The projected oceal
and inter-1sland cables cannot b
otherwise than productive of mucl
good to trade of all kinds. Thes
facilities must bring outside trade
and give an impetus to some kind
of domestic business. An increase
inflow of capital may be expected
and visitors will remain longe
among us. We shall then scarcel
feel that we are an insular people
as the news of the whole world wi
be daily received at Honolulu. .
weekly line of steamers to San Frar
cisco is also probability in til
near future, and in proportion a
the Islands are brought within tn
vortex of the busy world, will Honc
lulu advance IN the path of materis
progress.
Regarding general trade through
out the Islands, it is progressive i
nearly every direction. Three ne
sugar plantations are projected, me-
highways are being constructed, in
provements in mills and additions
plantations are in progress, cane
fields and other agricultural area
are being extended, and variou
new enterprises are propose
throughout the group. On Oahu tn
Pearl Harbor railroad must not b
forgotten among these, as wor
on it is steadily advancing; an
there are other enterprises t
which we might allude if spac
permitted. Altogether there
ample promise that a large sum O
money will be spent on improve
ments and new constructions on tn
Islands during the coming year.