The Hawaiian star. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu]) 1893-1912, 1907-06-13
WILL ASK CHANGE
OF COAS1WISt LAW
CHAMBER OF COMMERCE. ASKS
CONGRESS FOR RELIEF-RE-
PORT FROM CONFERENCE.

PORT FROM CONFERENCE.
The most important matter taken up
by the Chamber of Commerce at it's
monthly meeting held yesterday after
noon, was that concerning the coast
wise laws as they apply to the Terri
tory. At the conclusion of a general
debate a motion was made by e. Ten
ney Peck, and adopted, referring the
subject to the Chambers committee on
Harbors, Shipping and Transportation
to consider in detail and report on the
advisability of memorializing Congress
to grant relief from the burden which
the law places upon the islands.
The subject was brought up by Vice
President j. F. Morgan, VINO occupied
the chair in the absence of the presi-
dent, w. M. Giffard He stated that
the matter was one which he believed
the Chamber of Commerce should
take some action upon, and at least
place itself on record He believed
that the progress of the Territory is
being seriously retarded by the an
plication of the law which prevents
passengers or freight being carried
between here and the mainland in
anything except American vessels,
and thought that the law should be
amended in some way to favor the
Territory at least for a period of
years Not only are our own peo-
pie Inconvenience by the law, Mr..
Morgan pointed out, but it tends to
prevent tourists coming here, for the
reason that they are unable to plan
definitely their time of getting away.
E. Tenney Peck stated that the peo-
pile are practically at the mercy OF
the Pacific Mail Steamship Company,
and that instead of employing Ameri-
can labor, as the law contemplates
American vessels shall do, foreign
crews are engaged to man the different
ships.
E. D. Tenney felt sure that practicaI-
ly all of the members of the visiting
Congressional party favor modifying
the law as far as the Territory of
Hawaii is concerned at least, and
thought that the Chamber of Com
merce should not hesitate to express
it's views on the subject
A report was read from w. r.
Castle, Jr., who represented the Cham
Der of Commerce at the recent meet
ing of the Lake Mohonk New York;
Conference on International ArDitra-
ton. Extracts of letters were also
read from number of persons telling
of the good impression which Mr..
Castles address before the conference
had made. Mr.. Castle in his report,
stated that without and specific ms
tructions he had advocated in his talk
number of things which effect Ha-
wall deeply. Regarding these the
following may be quoted:
Perhaps 1 exceeded my authority
in strongly urging two measures as
considered important by people in Ho-
nolulu-measures which myself think
both important and practicable. They
were that The Hague Conference be
urged to declare the inviolability OF
private property, in contraband, IN
time of war, and the naturalization OF
ocean trade route. 1t seemed to me
that both of these were, from ouI
point of view, exceedingly important
and 1 was very glad that the confer
ence adopted them.
81 must also admit that 1 actually
went against he resolutions of the
Chamber in voting against having any
thing in the Mohonk platform about
limitation of armament. The platform
urged that The Hague adopt certain
things, not that they discuss them.
felt that discussion of this question
would be valuable, but knew that the
practical difficulties in the way of sucr
limitation would make it impossible al
the present time, and thought We
should urge only those things whicI
were practicable. 1t is a thing which
will naturally follow but which can
not precede the adoption of a genera
arbitration treaty. 1 am telling you
just what did, that you may censur'
me if you wish. l am sure, however
that, had you been present, you would
have done the same on this question
Hon. Andrew D. White told Mr.. Smile!
that my speech gave him several new
ideas about the islands, and a grea
many men came up to talk with me OF
the subject"
Mr.. Castle also suggested that tn
Chamber of Commerce offer a prize 0
fifty dollars for the best essay on IN
ternational arbitration to be compete,
for by the pupils of the public school
of the Territory. He believed that b,
educating the children among sucl
lines, the ideas of peace instead Of wa
will be best promulgated. and brinl
the most far reaching results.
The Chamber of Commerce unani