Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1898-07-14
OUR TRADE WITH HAWAII.



The latest and fullest information rela-
tive TO the newly acquired territory of the
United States. the Hawaiian Islands, has
Just been given to the public in d special
publication by the bureau of statistics a;
Washington. 1t consists of a series Of
statements relative to the people of the
Islands, their number, nativity, occupa-
tons, productions, expectations. purchases
from other parts of the world the share
which the United States have in their
commerce, the methods of raising revenue
and the amount annually collected and
dlsbursed, the Indebtedness, currency, pos
tai system, railroads and shipping. freight
and passenger rates to and from the Uni
ted States, wages paid in various employ
ments, and prices of provisions and other
ntcessaries of life. a part of this nfor-
nation Is in the form of statistical state
ments OF the commerce of the islands
during long period OF years, n portion
from the Hawaiian Year Book and other
publications of that character, and Il part
from late report to the state depart
ment by Consul General Haywood. and
which, taken together. present the latest
ana most complete statement Of the con-
ditions and business prospects in our new
territory that has been given to the pub
lie.
Hawaii, it Is shown by this So tement
imports almost everything she uses, aside
or course, from sugar, coffee and fruits,
attention having been almost exclusively
given to the raising of sugar, all Of which,
aside from that consumed In the Islands,
Is exported to the United States Indeed
the United States. in 1896. took 1854 per
cent of .he entire exports of the Islands
and supplied 1917 per cent of all Imports
Consul General Haywood, in his report
expresses the opinion that in case of an
reXation over 20 per cent of the imports
ba
product or manufacture of the United
States, and adds that If the American tar
liz were in force In the islands about
5000 worth of imports which now enter
free OF duty and are bought in countries
other than the United States would be
bought from this country, the free mpor-
tation of fertilizers and coal alone in 1896
amounting to s46, 3l9.
The opportunities for travel between the
United States and Hawaii are described
by Consul General Haywood, who says
that the bulk of the steam passenger and
freight traffic between San Francisco and
Honolulu is controlled by the Oceanic
steamship company. its rates being $50
cabin passage and $50 steerage, though II
number of fine sailing vessels which make
regular trips between Fort Townsend and
San Francisco and Honolulu with limited
passenger accommodations charge $40 for
cabin passage The time for passage be-
tween san TdTclSCO ana honolulu Dy
steamer is from six to seven days Freight
rates from San Francisco are: BY steam
crs, 81 per ton and per cent. primage.
by sailing vessels, 50 yer ton and per
cent. primage, while the rates to Allan
tic ports are from s. to 81 per ton. with
per cent. primage, and the duration of
the voyage between Honolulu and New
York from 50 to l3t days. On the islands
there are three railroads, which, how
ever, are used principally in carrying the
products of the plantations to the various
points Of shipments. and aggregate about
20 miles in length.
The currency of the islands is of the
same unit OF value as that of tho United
States. The gold Is all of American mint
age, and United States silver and paper
money is In circulation and passes at par.
The Hawaiian money is paper, the paper
being secured by silver held in reserve.
Banks keep two accounts with their de-
posters, SILVER and gold, and checks are
so worded that the depositor may specify
the account from which the check is to
be paid, though in case the check does
not state in what currency 1t Is to be
paid the law provides that the holder may
demand gold II the amount is over $40 The
Hawaiian silver money amounts to $780,
goo, OF which 5000, 900 Is held by the gov
eminent to secure a like amount of pa
per. The total money in circulation is es-
timated at $3,5000OO. The rate of ex-
change Is IA per cent on Eastern cities
Of the United States, and l per cent. on
the Pacific coast. Gold is at a premium
average $6.4S per capita the total revenue
from all sources 81. 2S3,O70 lin 1886 expen-
dtures 81, 1903, and the public debt 81
10l ia. bearing interest at and 6 per
cent. Commercial travellers are, under
the laws now in force required to take
of per cent. The annual internal taxes
out 4 license costing at Honolulu, for the
island upon which It is located $50, and
on each of the other islands, 1855.
The statement is not such as to encour-
age those desiring to seek employment In