The Hawaiian star. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu]) 1893-1912, 1900-03-05
CUSTOMS STATISTICS.

That there should be a large increase
in the exports to the United States
was not surprising. but it was surpris-
ing to see that there had been very
large increase in the exports to Aus
tralia and New Zealand, which have
risen from 21,S73.77 in 1898, to $39, S63.3S
in 1899. These exports consist of three
main articles, viz: Coffee, wool and
honey. The value of coffee sent south
ward was 1920. 60; of wool $S,4OO, and
of honey, $5,723.6S.
The honey industry is certainly
growing. Besides the five thousand odd
dollars worth sent south, a little over
"a, 900 worth went to the mainland, the
total exports of the article amounting
to $9,94S 6S, as against $3,313. S5 in 1898,
thus showing a great increase in the
amount of the product. If the value
of the wax is added, that is $1,000 it
brings the total up to a little more than
$1,000, which is making an appreciable
showing among the minor industries.
In fact it stands seventh in the list of
our exported products.
OF our sugar the whole goes to the
mainland, over eighteen and a half
million worth to the Pacific Coast, and
a little over three millions to Atlantic
ports. The coffee went to the Pacific
Coast and to the colonies, and the same
may be said of our wool. But the eX-
port trade is almost entirely with the
mainland, the Pacific Coast got $19, 34O,-
S15 sc of it, and the Atlantic ports,
49, 176, 943. 16. With such figures the
! $39, 1858 3S exported to the southern colo
it is interesting in that it has been
growing and growing in the direction
of minor industries. 1t is minor indus
tries that give happiness and profit to
a large number of people who are con-
tent with small gain and independence.
OF imports, machinery stands at the
head with a total of over $4,000, 900, as
against $S5O,OOO in 1898. Next in order
are groceries and provisions, which
stand 81 ,547, 1853 46; very close on to half
a million more than in 1898. Hardware
and steel go over the $1OOO,OOO mark.
!
an increase, in many cases more than
double that of the previous year. There
is one exception, coal, which has fallen
off from $6OS, us. 80 to $343, 286 96, which
is somewhat of a surprise as many
people thought the coal importation
was increasing.
One naturally turns to the heading OF
butterine. OF this 154,7S4 pounds were
imported in 1899, while there were
167, $40 pounds Of butter. Therefore the
amount of spurious butter very nearly
equalled the amount of the true butter
As the spurious butter is never labelled
as such, according to law, there must
/ be a large quantity sold in defiance OF
/ the law. Mr.. Shorey has given some
attention to the subject, but has not
| been able to discover a remedy.
The import of spirits for the past
year was valued at $1O2, 1888 10, and OF
wine, at $3.50, 1853 OF. But this is not the
best guide. The table showing the
amounts withdrawn from the customs
for consumption really tells the tale
of what the population consumes. Thi:
shows an increase of enormous proper
tions over the Withdrawals in 1898. o.
spirits, including alcohol, S4,951 gallons
were Withdrawn; of wines, including
sake, about 1853, 800 gallons were with
drawn, allowing for wine put down II
dozens of quarts, and 16O7O1 gallons o.
beer, making the same allowance.
The grand total of alcoholic liquors
therefore, withdrawn for consumption
during the year 1S99 was 1884 gal
Ions, which, reckoning the total popu
lation of the islands at 100000, would
give AS gallons per head for every
man, woman and child in the country
But as quite a number would have t.
be eliminated who do not consume al
cohol in any form, 1e amount con
sumed per capita by H. eal consume.
must be close to double IT,. amount
Customs statistics are guides to the
prosperity, depression, extravaganza
parsimony, success, failure, and man!
other things connected with our com
pick life.