The Hawaiian star. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu]) 1893-1912, 1896-02-18
DEALERS HAVE A SAY.
SOME LIQUOR SELLERS BEFORE THE
SPECIAL COMMISSION.
Make q Verbal Presentation Recite Sew
erai Grievances They Want
Good Laws.

The following is from the min
utes of the secretary of the Liquor
Commission:
1.-The liquor dealers had been in
vited to put in writing anything
they desired to bring before the
Commission, but had not done so,
not being sure, they said, just what
was wanted of them. The men,
bers of the Commission explained as
we'll as they could that they drsired
to get the opinion so far as possible
of all classes of the community
upon the subject of the traffic and
what could be done to more pro-
perly regulate it and protect all
interests involved.
"A general discussion took place
in which it was brought out the
use of saki was still OH the increase.
the consumption being now from
$4,000 to 20, 900 gallons per month.
The price OF California wines had
been reduced from $I.75 per gal
lon to VI to meet the price Of saki,
but at the same price the saki was
being used in place Of the wine.
Circulars had been sent out by a
japanese house holding a license
that they had large stock on the
way, and offering at price that
was below cost of that
which the other dealers had.
The California wine dealers feel
that the trade should be saved to
them and that saki should in some
way be kept ont. 1t was suggest
ed that the present duty Of IS cents
per gallon be retained OIL wines
made from grapes" but that a
heavier duty be placed on all other
wines.
The dealers claimed that they
were paying from 4o to Sc per cent.
of the total amount paid into the
Custom House, and about one-third
of the entire revenue of the Govern
ment and that they were receiving
no protection from the Government.
That okolehao and even whiskey
was being made in the
Islands, aud not only
being sold on the sly but was even
offered to them by the barrel; that
information had been given the
police department about it but that
nothing had been done to break up
the business. That members of
that department were receiving
money from illicit dealers on the
Islands and that the revenue the
government would receive if
saloons were established in certain
localities was now going into the
pockets Of certain persons connect
ed with police department.
1T was claimed that the estab-
lishment of more saloons outside of
Honolulu would decrease the illicit
sales, that the trade would be more
under control, that more revenue
would be derived for the govern
ment; that the trade was now con-
ducted better here than in other
places and the present dealers
would cooperate with the govern
ment in doing all possible to keep
the business OH a respectable basis.
They claimed that they had good
grounds for grievance against the
government for ise,,irs retail
license to a Chinese firm, the same
being called special license, some
thing not authorized by law, aud
so placing the business in the hands
of a class who would do much in
jury to the natives. They claimed
also that the hours Of sales should
not be restricted too much, as, If
they were, instead of the drinking
being in places where it would be
under the eyes of the officers of the
law it would be driven into secret
places where it could not be watch
ed and when more harm might be
done.
1T was suggested that the deal
ers appoint committee who might
confer further with the commission,
which met with the approval of all,
and the meeting adjourned"