The Hawaiian gazette. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu, Hawaii]) 1865-1918, 1917-04-27

Ho,vaiii's Duty Today

i ~ culture, almost coincident with the decar
ton Of war, announced probable FIFTY .miIlic
bushel shortage in the 1917 winter wheat GRO
stock exchange prices for that staple jumped 4
teen cents in one day. This IS why -four and brea
prices have suddenly jumped to famine level. o,
country in the mean time having virtually col
tracted to feed the Allies as well as care for ii
dietary needs Of our own population.
A larger acreage was planted in wheat durin
the autumn Of 1916 than had ever previously bee
sown, but despite the increase in acreage, ur
toward weather conditions such as drought, hig
winds, and less than the normal snowfall in tn
principal wheat growing districts have resulte
/ in heavy prospective losses to the farmers an
diminution of the yields
The Governors OF all the cereal producing State
have already taken counsel with agricultural co
lege deans and presidents, and with the director
/ Of the various experiment stations, who in tur
have published through the medium OF the dali
press instructions to what crops to plant to r,
place the winter wheat deficiency. No great mys
ltery is being made Of the food situation, on tn
mainland. Here in Hawai-, on the contrary, tn
food problem is being ensfrouded in a veil Of fol
for what reason, even the wisest government o.
| fetal is unable or unwilling to disclose
Patriotic Americans on the mainland recogniz
/! the national obligation which goes hand-in-glov
with our active participation in the world-wal
They are not "cornering food supplies. or film
their private cellars and storehouses with came
! goods, -four and meats. There has been no mys
/ terry made Of the situation. AS result selis
boarding has played but little part in the risin
lprices resultant from the assumption Of new ma
ltional obligations.
Hau,as f,lo.y n
the war, by continuing to produce large crops O
sugar to help out the domestic supply-by practis
ing economy in merchandise consumption--by tn
avoidance of luxury-by learning how to live a
a self-supporting and self-respecting community
and by diverting more of the abnormal profits O
the last few years to internal development
Since sugar went to the 6ve-cent basis there ha
been an orgy Of speculation in Hawaii We ar
now entering into the greatest war Of the cen
|turies, and ought to amend our point Of view &C
lcordingly
II takes big men TO meet danger, but the DANCE
as far as Hawaii is concerned is not that ties
Islands might be invaded, or taken over by al
Oriental power but that in our provincialism W
be unable to see the plain straight road where tn
path Of duty lies Hawaii must continue to do it
share in keeping the worlds sugar bowl heape,
land OVERLOOKING. We must in certain measur
learn to feed ourselves not primarily from defen
sive or selfish point of view but because it ha
become one Of our obligations to feed the million
lof European soldiers who are making their lives
their all, that the enjoyment Of individual liber
may be preserved to our children's children as I,
perpetual heritage 81 q
That. and that alone should be the supreme rea
son for adopting saner viewpoint concerning tn
food supply here for the immediate future Time
and eyefts can for bigger ideas and broader out
look, than have thus far been presented to cd
view by the territorial appontive officials to WHOM
We have the right to look for wise advice AM
courageous leadership.
There is big enough winter wheat crop to fee
the entire population OF the United States, II GU
leaders at the National Capitol were only bent o.
feeding America-to let Europe go hang. Fortu
nately the shame of open expression of such sent
ments in high places has been avoided SINAI
minds think such things and towards give then
tongue, for as surely as great emergency breed
the men to meet the situation il likewise stirs tn
foul dregs and paltry souls to the surface
Hawaii is in no danger of starvation. Som
small economies are all that we are going to b
asked TO share, and to make the administrative
burden lighter at Washington we must begin t
economic and do what we may to limit necessit
| for imports. Monopoly such as has been attempte
recently among the local rice growers is BASTARD,
and deserves all the punishment united bushes
community can mete to those who contaminated i
Ut was based on the provincial idea often limited b
small men in high paces-that this group of A
specks on the Pacific map is the prize for whic
! all the world is fighting, an absurdty that woul
be humorous in more peaceful times.
| ----------; 20 :-------- ~ 1870
| 1t should not be necessary to remind any Of til
guardsmen Of Hawaii that marriage since I'll
declaration OF war does not qualify the groom f.