The Hawaiian gazette., 1901-07-12
PROTECTION FOR
HAWAIIAN COFFEE
Senator Paris Tells Why Con-
gress Should Grant "A
Tariff.

Protection for coffee will he asked of
Congress by the Legislature officially.
A resolution setting forth the needs for
such action to rehabilitate the declin-
ing business was passed by the Senate
sponsor for the resolution was Senator
j. ID. Paris. In explanation of the move
the Senator said last evening:
II have been contemplating this move
since the meeting of the Legislature. In
fact, the resolution was drawn up dur
ing it's first days, but l concluded that
it was not the right time to press it
then, and let it lie until now. l believe
that / can get it through. Before an
nexation we had a duty of seven cents
a pound on coffee and the growing of
1t was great success. The grade of
the coffee was as good as the Java
Then. too, the large families of the ma
tive Hawaiians and the Portuguese Oft
en- grew a considerable crop, thus add
ing to the family income and affording
employment to every one in the house
hold. This source of income has been
from the cheap labor countries of Cen
trail America and the East had driven
out the general growing of coffee and
left the many persons who depended on
1t for a considerable portion of income
without any substitute.
I'm my opinion the placing of a duty
on coffee by Congress would mean that
there would be a revival of the industry.
10, cd
agriculture, and there is nothing which
will afford as good returns, under the
old conditions, as pleasant employment
for the young members of a family and
be as certain of crop. There is on each
of the Islands much land which is I'M
available for sugar but which would
produce good crops of coffee. OF course
realize that there will be opposition
to any such protection, but I believe
that there will be many votes for the
protection of anything grown in Amer
lean SOIL"
The resolution of Senator Paris is as
follows:
BE 1t resolved ny the Senate and the
House of Representatives concurring of
the Territory of Hawaii.
THAT whereas the coffee industry,
which at one time promised to be a lead
Ing Industry, Is now in depressed con-
dition, and threatened to be abandoned,
on account of the,low prices. and the re-
moval of the protective duty OF seven
cents per pound on all coffee imported
into the Republic OF Hawaii before an
nexation; and the large amounts import
ed into the United States free of duty
from Brazil. Mexico. Central America
and other countries.
THAT whereas this Territory possesses
n large area of land suited to the cul-
tivation of coffee, and a large amount of
American capital is now invested In the
Industry, and upon which a large farm
ing class have depended for a livelihood,
but cannot compete with the low prices,
where cheap labor is employed as in the
countries above mentioned.
I'VE therefore pray, that the Congress
Of the United States, do impose a duty
ON all coffee imported from other coun-
tries and in this way, protect this indus
try in Hawaii and other parts of the
I'm ted States.
BE It resolved That the Governor OF
this Territory is hereby requested TO
transmit certified copies OF this resolu-
ton 10 the President OF the United
states the President Of the Senate and
thc Speaker Of the House OF Representa-
t.yes with the request that this resolu-
uou be laid before the Congress OF the
United states,
-. u. PARIS,
senator First District Territory Of
Hawaii.
Senate Chamber Territory Of Hawaii, |
lHr 1901"
The Senator made "a speech lu which |
He pointed out the dppluubls condition
NJ tHe coffee industry and fuIl thlt the
1rIy thiuF 90 build % up aEalu Was thr
py muntaHad protection.
h.r ArNl amended 90 have ono copy
srnt ia DslsFato NNgoK,
IHe RESOLUTION thrreulnn passed