The Hawaiian gazette., 1915-07-30
What of the Future?

II
i sugar industry in this Territory there are fac
tors that must be weighed and considered, the
most important being that the whole tropical
world sees the advantage Of producing sugar and
is going to get in on the approaching era Of high
prices II it can. Even after the tariff Is restored
there is going 70 be glut in tie sugar market
at no very distant date ~
American capital is pouring into Cuba, starting
new plantations, buying up old ones, remodelling
and improving mills Other tropical lands are
buying the second hand mills which are in real
ity an improvement over what they had before
used. Everywhere the effort is afoot to make
more and cheaper sugar. @=5.ra5~. =. q. ,..e f,g
The expert sugar makers who have grown up
with the American industry are leaving it to seek
better positions in newer lands where opportuni-
ties seem broader or where economic production
is freer from political control. '..
All this means that FIVE or possibly ten years
hence when all these new cane propositions get
into full bearing and sugar is pouring into the
worlds markets from unusual sources there will
be the same period of financial strain that always
succeeds a boom Sugar prices will probably go.
10 a very, low level and competition will be very
keen. '..-. g.. sas.s@$ ah
Wall street believes the madness of war is al
ready passing After it is over period of recon
struction will follow, probably along the lines OF
closer protection by each of the great world Pow
ers for its own people, its own industries and its
own trade. Both the cause and the aftermath of
war is patriotism which is only national selfish
ness crystaized. The United States will be in
Auenced by 1t just as much as the beIlgerent pow
and SO the American people must perforce
follow the footsteps of those who lead the way.
One form this new patriotism is bound to take is,
going to be the protection of the home market for
the home producer and manufacturer. It is good
sense and not political theory. r..
Nevertheless with all the world growing sugar
there will follow period of very low prices during
which the saving barrier of protective duty will
not protect the domestic sugar grower from de-
structive competition due to an over supply 1t is
not folly to look ahead in anticipation That time
may arrive ten years hence. 1t may be only FIVE.
Knowing thatiit is almost certain to come; Ha-
wall has got to build up all its other industries.
The pineapple industry will help, but just how
far no one can say. Certainly the present is no
time for laying plans for its indefinite expansion
This industry must contract first until it can stab,
ilize- The way out is to grow and pack less fruit
and not more What the situation will be FIVE,
or ten years from now may be another story, il
in the time the fresh fruit trade is developed
and more attention is given to standardizng the
product. Building ohew carfneries now would be
folly or worse than folly The talk must be OF
two million caseaPack and not one Of three mil
lions - ">.....H 4"i
The livestock industry looks promising if cat
tie can be fed and fattened on plantation wastes
and cultivated cereals for the overseas markets.
The rice industry is on the and is apparently
destined to ultimately dwindle, from natural
causes not necessary TO state here There are many
minor industries still in the experimental stage,
tobacco. cotton, rubber, sisal and others, each of
which have their advocates and some of which
may yet learn to stand alone.
There is the ship-supply business which is des-
tined to bring trade to our harbors if we can get
ready to take care oft Some of Hawaii's surplus
millions ought to go into the getting ready right
away. ;u,&.
The tourist trade is field that needs to be TAX
en- up business proposition with enough CAPT
tai back of it to make it permanent investment
lust how to capitalize this so as to get working
capital free from political control has not been satI
sfactorily worked out 1t is problem far from
solution but it is something that every one is in
lerested in and favorable solution will undoubt-
eddy be forthcoming