The Hawaiian gazette. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu, Hawaii]) 1865-1918, 1898-04-26
THINGS ABOUT COFFEE.

We print in another column, very
valuable letter on the coffee industry,
prepared by Mr.. Chas. D. Miller of
Hookena. He misunderstood our refer
enee to experienced men" in the COT
fee business, but he will understand it
now. He is one of the men who has
large practical knowledge of the bust
mes, and we believe, would not lead the
tenderfoot astray.
In our comments on the market value
of Hawaiian coffee, we challenged the
statement made in the Bulletin that it
is worth cents per pound more than
the Brazilian. Mr.. Miller says he is not
prepared TO say that the statement is
true. Here we have an illustration of
the point, We made, that the value of
our coffees has not yet been determined
in the great markets of the world. Al
though our planters have now been en-
gagged in the business for four or more
>.
seems to have been no serious and de-
termined effort to find its place in the
markets. Mr.. Miller suggests, very
properly, that its value will largely de-
pend upon its cultivation and prepara-
ton. This at once puts a new phase
on the question, so far as beginners are
concerned. The tenderfoot is led to be-
lieve that coffee is coffee, and then he
is told by an experienced" man (not
of Mr.. AIiller's sort) that it is ''theJbest
in the world"
This letter is exceedingly valuable. !
1t shows that We are yet in the expert
mental stage of this industry, although
we have many reasons to believe that
it will become a most valuable in
dustry.
Our solicitude is about the deadly eff
feet of reactions, in the business part
of the industry. We have too much at
stake to permit them, if they can be
avoided.
Unfortunately in our American
way of doing things, we have not
developed the industry gradually. 1t
has been assumed at once that there is
"a small fortune in it," without a full
and careful consideration of what 9TH
er countries are doing in the same bust
ness. The history of industries in all
countries in the United States especi-
ally, is that of bitter disappointments
by the many, owing to exaggerated
hopes and insufficient staying power.
Nor is the industry developing here,
on the best lines for the social and DO
litical advantage of the Islands, so far
as population is concerned. We have
regarded it as a most fortunate and
desirable opening for the "small' Am
erican farmer, who possesses some Am
erican civilization. For this purpose it
required, and requires, strong, persis-
tent energy on the part of the Govern
ment to secure that end The opening
OF Iand Is not suf1clent. The invitation
of immigration is not sufficient. The
difficult problem is to reach the right
class of immigration and bring it here.
But the Government is not justified
in doing this, until it has settled the
value of our coffee in the markets of
the world. Intelligent work on these
lines should, before this, have set
tied its value, so that every fact pre-
scented to the immigrant or tenderfoot,
would be bottom fact 1t is for our
political good that the coffee industry
should not be unreasonably depressed
The only way to avoid it, is to prevent
the boom pest from destroying it. ]