The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1885-1921, 1906-03-17
COFFEE AND ITS
POSSIBILITIES

Editor Advertiser: If cofee is ever
to rank as an industry of magnitude,
and one producing annually, millions
of wealth for this Territory, it is I'M
deniably essential that protective
tariff be placed on this product
A period of high prices, if they are
to be at last realized again, after a
period of long depression, is de-
serving and merited reward, for those
who have been battling against I'M
to keep head above water
But what if coffee prices should rise
again to such high levels, as ruled
from January, 1887, to January, 1897,
covering a period of ten years?
AS for example, in June. 1887, Rio
No. z was selling for 81 IA cents in
1898, for Is 3-s. and in January, 1894,
for IS 3-8. During this period of high
prices, following fluctuations also oc-
Cured, namely, 12c., lac, 15c., II 7-Sc.,
10 Lac, IL DOC, Slc-s Tie lOHSSl DSAiS
10 lac, in March, 1888.
From January, 1897, prices began to
fail rapidly, SO that by April 81, No.
Z Rio was selling for lac. and in
1898 and 1902 the market dropped as
low as lie
A high level of prices, should they
be equal to the period of 81 to 81 is
surely going to bring about a tremen-
dous stimulus to the industry in Bra
I'll, and other South and Central Amer
lean countries, and new paintings on
a. gigantic scale will be the order of
the day.
But what are going to be the re-
suits, as past economic and industrial
history teaches us? AS night follows
day. we shall witness after a period
of years when these immense new
come into full bearing, over
production again. and prices will
gradually fall to such level as to
make producers feel sick and dis
heartened, driving many through |
to the wall.
Would it be advisable in the face |
of foregoing figures, and the repeti- |
enthusiastically into coffee culture |
again? No. If protection can be Sc
cured this product by tariff of from |
; to cents a pound, so that Hawaiian |
coffee, or better stated, all American |
grown coffees will never fall below |
cost of production in the mainland |
Of the United States, even so, that |
plantations not so well favored as to
,@Il CHI or xyic
capital and enterprise to take hold
from all sides in the development of
his industry.
In all probability Hawaii has an
area of SOC, 900 acres that could eventu-
ally be devoted to coffee, and if say
300 900 acres of this area were pro-
iucing. and in full bearing, yielding
crops of 500 pounds to the
acre. or say 24000O,000 pounds in the
.otai. we should then have created an
,ther great industry. that in time to
come would yield gross returns, as
much as does our present main IN
iustry.
In order to illustrate the immensely
If the Brazilian industry, it is only
necessary to state, that she has about
,000, 600 acres devoted to its culture.
md if necessity and demand require,
Brazil has millions of acres more,
whereby it's culture can be extended.
Dur concern is however not for Brazil
n other foreign coffee zones.
Why should not Hawaii, in conjunc-
ion with Porto Rico. take up vigor-
'us and sincere campaign to secure for
,ur future another great and wealth
producing product? II
The Advertiser is correct in it's con-
entions. when stating "Hawaiis ac- 4
ion in this matter has been mos des-
lltory." if not seemingly Indifferent.
Dur commercial bodies and financial
covers that be, should realize that
reat things lie before US through gain
ng a protective duty on coffee, and
{ would not be amiss IL earnest and