Honolulu star-bulletin. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu, Hawaii]) 1912-2010, 1916-02-08
THEIR GRIEVANCE.

# Honolulu merchants and retailers IN general
aside from those connected with the big su-
gar agencies--are surprised and angered 10
find that the Sugar Factors and the American
Hawaiian steamship company have calmly con-
cluded very important shipping deal without
taking into their confidence the Independent
Importers of the territory.
Their point seems to be well-taken that the
big sugar men of Hawaii and the steamship
Icompany should have let the merchants know
that the New York Hawaii service was to be
abandoned, even if only temporarily. As one
merchant points out, it isn't the money in
rolved, since in the long run the consumer IS
going to pay the increase between the freight
charge by railroad and the freight charge by
water, but it is the secrecy with which the deal
was completed, and the fact that local retail
interests weren't consulted on matter vital
to the import trade of the entire territory.
IT is also pointed out that this import trade
helped to make possible a favorable two-year
contract rate entered into by the sugar men
and the Americana Hawaiian Company. The
large import business done by local merchants,
and which they were glad to assure to the
III. concern was material factor in getting
from the steamship line an advantageous con
tract for Hawaii s sugar.
What the local merchants think, with appar
tnf reason, has not been observed is "reci
Drocityv between the big sugar interests and
the smaller but much more numerous mercan-
tile interests. They feel that the matter should
have been taken up with the Chamber of Com
nerce, and the merchants asked, How is this
Organization of cargo service going to affect
II 10 Dc
port trade What can we do to help you if it
Is going to disorganize your freightsi"
Big prospective war profits, it is admitted,
Was the controlling factor in the decision of the
American- Hawaiian Company to put its main
feet into the Atlantic trade. This action of the
steamship company is in marked contrast with
that of the Matson Navigation Company, which
has refused fattering offers to put its steamers
INTO the war trade. At one time the Lurline
10nld have made an immense profit by going
6n another run, handling largely war material.
The company not only stood by its Hawaii bust
Iess, but its raise in freight rates is considered
Ieasonable. That policy in the long run is the
best policy If the American Hawaiian COM
06ny had as close interest in Hawaii as has the
Xatson company, it too would recognize this
policy as the best.
Consultation between the sugar men, the
american Hawaiian company and the local re
|1ilers and other importers would have hurt
10 one and would have been precisely the step
IS make the little fellow feel that the big
|elow" in Hawaii held at heart the interests
1( all. 1t is impossible to believe that such con-
.nltation and cooperation, if frankly but dis
reetly handled, could have imperilled the ul-
Innate success of the deal.
Reciprocity in business between all the In
.erests in Hawaii is the surest way possible of
.oaranteeing united front when the prosper
~ of the territory is menaced from the outside.
And reciprocity cannot be maintained unless
10Th sides-all sides carry it out in practise