The Hawaiian gazette., 1916-04-11
RoDERlCK Q. MATHESON. EDITOR
Plain Path To Progress

REFERENCE is the name under which Brit
p ish political leaders are endeavoring to per
suade the free traders OF the empire to- accept
the economic principle of protection. The Demo-
cratic press OF the South is arguing at exhaustive
length toprove to voters of its own political faith
that the free trade fallacy never truly belonged
to democracy. Thomas Jefferson, the papers re-
mind the brethren. was an out and out projections
ist and so was every great leader the party ever
had Until long after the close OF the civil war.
Free trade is an economic faacy The nation
that practises or the political party that breaches
this doctrine is tho down grade towards in
dustrial perClition, and political oblivion. If the
world has learned no other lesson since the be-
ginning OF the great war, it has learned this. As
the first obligation OF is the preservation
Of hiseown health and bodily we'll being, that he
may be of service to his fellows, SO is it the first
duty OF the nation to protect and foster the IN
dustries its own citizens have builded tor them
selves, before reaching out the hand of brotheriy
Assistance to alien nations.
Protection of home industries is so obvious that
ii needs no apoogist. The free trader is the man
who must do the explaining. The American pco-
pie know, from experience that protection is SYM
onymous with prosperity, the full dnncr-palI, the
smoking chimney, the busy workshop and the
contented workman.
The men who have made the sugar industry of
Hawaii by expenditure Of brain and Drawn, by
hard work, science and business efficiency, will
not be satisfied to the results OF their toll
ruthlessly swept into the rubbish heap OF ruined
industry May /. 1920 1890, or any other year.
There is principle at stake-a principle worth
fighting for--the right Of the citizens Of this land
to preferential consideration, and protection
against the unfair competition of alien lands where
there is no obligation to maintain high American
civic ideals and standards.
No great problem was ever solved by pro-
crastination. There is nothing to be gained by
putting off question vital in it, every signi-
hcance If the administration hopes to make
friends and converts by this policy its leaders and
advisors show that they have very slight acquain-
tance with the workings of the average man :
mind. Acceptance, now, Of the justice of the
AMERICAN producers plea for the protection Of
home Industry as a cardinal principle of economies,
would make friends where the other policy will
deepen and strengthen opposition and enmty
The question of what the administration expects
to gain by putting off free sugar only four years
instead OF forever, has been asked many times
without thus far elicting answer 1t is not
business sense. 1t makes no friends. 1t creates
doubt and uncertainty. Then why should they
do ii The European war will certainly be ended
long before May LIST, 1920, and from the moment
4 il does end the American people will be plunged
into the turmoil of reconstruction, for VIII" can
deny the obligations the United States must As
sumo among the nations
Hawaii is ready to 60 ahead. There great
opportunities in view and great rcNourse, at hand
Hawaii Is ready to do her share OF the work, and
bear her Share Of the burdens and responsibilities
4 as other commonwealth are doing Why spread
the pail of doubt, fear and indccision another
four year period: Protection Of home industry