Evening bulletin. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu, Hawaii]) 1895-1912, 1895-10-15
DRIVEN FROM THE IsLANDs.
Out-Saki aud Temperance
Talk.

Between the two extremes of
sakl drinking and total abstinence
sentiment, the trade in sweet
wines which California had COM
menced to build up with the Ha-
waiian islands is in danger of an
initiation. The first-named enc
my has already caused a serious
diminution in our exports and the
second threatens to destroy it en-
tirely. California will have to
defend herself or suffer the CON
sequences. This she can do
through the National Govern
ment. The reciprocity treaty be-
tween this country and Hawaii
has already attained It's limita-
tions, and either party to the ar
rangement can abrogate it by sim
ply giving ayear's notice to that
effect.
Under the treaty Sandwich ISL
ands sugars are admitted to the
United States free of duty, while
the American wines and spirits
are taxed Is cents, ~ and S3 so
gallon according to alcoholic
strength before they can be plac-
ed on the Hawaiian market This
is discrimination against our
products of which California
wine-makers complain, and if
they have 1.-THE of the influence
at Washington possessed by the
planters at Honolulu, they will
cause our Government to notify
that of the island republic that if
it desires sugar to be admitted to
the United States free of duty it
must accord the Same privilege to
California wines.
Such course would afford
them sufficient protection against
Japanese saki to Withstand its
inroads. As to the total abstin-
ence proposition before the Ha-
waiian Legislature, the sugar
planters VINO dominate it could
easily be made 10 understand
that its adoption would also en-
danger the continuance Of treaty
only reciprocal in name.
The California wine interest has
already taken up the matter at
Honolulu, but advlces received
from the Hawaiian capital are to
the effect that to be successful
they must also direct their effort
to Washington, as there is the
key to the situation. As has been
stated, California had commenced
to build up trade with Hawaii
in sweet wines when saki appear
ed upon the scene. That was only
a year ago last spring, but it has
worked havoc III that briof period.
Not only has the hope Of increas-
ing The business been destroyed,
but our exportpt.on has diminish
ed full one-third, and its complete
cessation in few years is easy
to foresee if remedy be not
applied.
Saki is II production of fer
mented rice, containing poison
GUS compounds, and is known to
be deleterious to health and de-
moralizing in lis effects. 1t is
manufactured very cheaply in
Japan and imported into the
Sandwich islands, where it pays
the same duties as wines, though
several attempts have been made
to have customs charges on the
liquor the same as those on hi Oh
spirits. The first cost being much
less and the duty the same, saki
has been able, from its che0pness,
to supersede the use of our wines,
not only among tho Japanese and
the Kanakas, but also among the
large Portuguese population
which had begun to be our best
customers. The situation assum-
ed such grave aspect that, some
time ago, the Board of State VIII
cultural Commissioners adopted
memorial to the Hawaiian Legis-
latUre asking that an increased
duty should be placed on the Jap
anese drink or amy other wine not
made from grapes, or that Am-
erican wines Should be paced on
the free list.
1t was at first the intention not
to hand in this petition until the
regular session of the Legislature
next February, but last month, in
view of the passage by the Senate