The Hawaiian star. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu]) 1893-1912, 1896-01-16

1HE Lfif0 LFfOHHS COIlSS W 10
this week well filled with articles on
various topics of interest, and var
iety of local items, which show COM
mendable industry on the part OF
its editorial staff and contributors,
and indicate that the governing in
dustries of the district demand a
paper devoted to local necessities.
A continuation is given of the list
of Olaa coffee planters. Some OF
these have gatherea- a few bags,
sufficient to supply the local de-
mand at least. Reference is also
made to the improved sugar pros
poets Of the district, which, owing
to unusually fine weather and abund-
ant rains promise larger yield than
- for several years past.
The 7ri6nne's leading article
bristles with defiance, and demand:
Hilo's share of the public revenue
with an appropriation of 500, occ
for building a wharf, sheds ant
warehouses for the benefit of the
growing commerce Of the place
The editor says:
There can be no longer doubt bu
what our needs are imperative. The
wharf and attendant buildings must be
built, and the Government should build
and own them. If not, then grant &c
some persons the right to build them.
Hilo is not wanting in men of energy
and money who are willing, if to them
the privilege is given, aud lease OF
the ground pecessary to builc
these buildings upon"
.These are practical questions of bust
ness not sentiment. The people OF
Hawaii, always loyal, ready and will
ing to support any form of government
that may be established or inaugurate6
by the people of Honolulu, and to pay
their taxes and revenues for its main.
tenance, have a right to know how
things are going, and how and by wha
authority their money If being spent, IL
other words, to demand of them an &C
count of their stewardship"
A discussion took place in Hilo
between Messrs. +. w. Wakefield
and H. c. Austin, on the question
of local self government. Mr.. w
explains what he wants in the fol
lowing paragraphs:
Local self government means, in the
first place, the close watching of public
expenditures, and second, the more
business-like opening up of the public
lands where large sans could be at once
borrowed on their security, roads made
through all the important districts,
bonuses granted to new industries, i'm
migration encouraged and people placed
on lands, and generally steps taken to SO
develop the country as to increase its
prosperity and consequently the
amount Of taxable property.
l submit that the reasons that gave the
different States of the American Union
their liberty with the right to control
their own affairs apply with equal force
TO us on the island of Hawaii. Why
then should we longer delay in com
mencing an agitation having for its
object the attaining of this end"
Mr.. H. c. Austin replied to Mr..
Wakefield with some statistics,
showing that if the entire taxes
raised on Hawaii were appropriated
for her special benefit, Hilo district
would receive but small part OF
the 100000 taxes collected from
that island.
upon motion it was ordered that
the further discussion Of the question be
continued until the next meeting of the
club. From these most able papers 1t Is
clear the question will be argued upon
the following lines:
/. Is local self-government an essen
tial fea ure of a Republican form OF
government
z. Is It expedient and practical that
we should ask for or expect loo Al self
government with our present hetero.
geneous class of population?
g. What revenues could we expect
with which to defray our local ex-
penses? What resources have we at
command, and would our expenses be
enhanced or decreased by local self
government.
The discussion will certainly be inter
ssting.
IL was further ordered that a paper
be submitted at the next meeting ON
the advisability of starting a bank in