The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1885-1921, 1892-06-21
THE LEGISLATURE.
Nineteenth Day.
MONDAY, June q

PETITIONS.
Rep. Wilder presented a number of
petitions from different districts on
Oahu, praying that the duty on rice
be not removed. Laid on the table
with bills on the subject.
Rep. White presented a petition
from Maui with sixty-two signatures,
containing same prayer as above.
Rep. Akina presented Ave petitions
from different parts of Kauai to the
same effect.
Rep. Kanealil presented two similar
petitions from Maui.
Rep. Kapahu presented two more
from Honolulu to the same effect.
Rep. Edmonds presented similar
petitions. All the above were laid on
the table with the bills.
Rep. Kamauoha presented q petit
ton asking for license for sale Of
spirituous liquors, and also for sale of
light wines and beers. Laid on the
table with bill on similar subject.
Rep. Nawahi presented r. petition
to the effect that the law appointing
tax assessors-in-chief be repealed.
Laid on the table with bill.
Also that the pay Of each deputy
sheriff and police officer be appro-
priated separately. Laid on the table
with Appropriation bill.
Also that road from Hilo through
Puma be built. Laid on the table with
the Appropriation bill.
Also a petition from Puma, asking
for an appropriation of $500 to i'm.
prove a landing. Laid on the table
with Appropriation bill.
Rep. Bush presented petition from
Honolulu, asking for new Constitu-
ton. Laid on the table to be con-
sldered with bill on the subject.
The Attorney-G General stated that
his report was ready in English.
Rep. Wilder, for the Committee on
Commerce and Agriculture, reported
on bill to raise duty on coffee from
G to IL cents a pound, as follows
Your committee beg leave to re-
port that they have had under con-
sideration bill No. II. This is q bill
to increase the duties on coffee to II
cents per Id. We do not understand
this to be bill to increase the re-
venue: but, If passed, no doubt it
would have that effect to a small
extent. AS the amount of coffee
raised in this kingdom is not near
enough for our home consumption
as we find from the report of the Col
lector- General-that for the year end
ing December 81, 1891, there was inn.
ported into this kingdom 1872, 7l0 lbs,
and only 5000 lbs. exported. We find
that the present duty on coffee Is 6
h h. ,nIn NE
committee, coffee is not ono of the
articles of food, used in almost every
family.
ave are also aware that the income
of every family in this kingdom has
been greatly reduced, owing to the
great depression in all kinds of bust.
ness. And in the minds of your COM
mittee it would be great injustice
(more particularly to the poor work.
ing classes( to do anything that would
add to the present cost of living.
Therefore your committee would re-
commend that the further considera-
ton OF this bill be indefinitely post
poned." Signed by all the members
Of the committee.
Rep. Nawahi moved that the report
be accepted and considered with the
bill.
Rep. A. S. Wilcox moved it be
adopted.
Rep. Kamauoha thought the adop-
ton OF q report indefinitely postpon-
ing bill was bad practice. It was
not just to the introducers of the bills.
He favored consideration when the
bill came up.
Rep. Kapahu did not favor the re-
port. The object of the bill was to
protect coffee planters. The poor
people, as q rule, did not use much
coffee. The consumption was chiefly
among the better classes.
Rep. Waipuilani said his object in
introducing the bill was to encourage
the coffee industry and increase the
revenue. The duty in coffee had
already stimulated the cultivation of
it, and produced some revenue. A
large number of people in Kona de-
rived their support from coffee. He
hoped the House would not indefin-
itely postpone the bill by adopting
this report, but wait for the bill to
come up. Possibly duty Of II cents
would be too high. He would be
satisfied with any increase.
Rep. A. S. Wilcox withdrew his
motion.
Noble Neumann would not with
draw his motion to adopt the report.
II no reports of committee were adopt
ed the committees might as we'll be
abolished.
Rep. Ashford hoped the bill would
not be indefinitely postponed as some
of the members, especially among the
Hawaiians, We're sensitive about hav-
ing their bills disposed of in that way.
There We're strong reasons against any
increase in the duty on coffee.
Noble j. M. HOrner thought it ONLY
fair to wait and let the bill be passed
on in the regular way.
Rep. kaunamanO hoped the report
would not prevail.
Noble Neumann had nothing
against the policy of encouraging in
dustries when necessary, but not in
this way, where the burden would fall
on the poor. He thought it proper
after bill had been referred to a COM
mittee, to adopt or reject the report.
When bill was vicious, it should be
killed without waiting. He disclaim-
ed any want of courtesy to the intro
Queer of the bill or any member. AS
to the industry itself, he took a great
interest in 1t; was financially inter
ested, had sent for seed and had en-
deavored to interest others in it.
Noble Young was one of the Com
mittee. He was sorry that any mem
bers should think the report unduIy
severe. He thought if bill ought to
be killed, the sooner the better. No
doubt the intention of the bill was