Honolulu star-bulletin. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu, Hawaii]) 1912-2010, 1917-06-23
Dos Patriotism Demand n

niyal?
These questions have been put before the public,
though little has been said Of the suggestion max
the Civic Convention, to be held this year at HOMO
lulu, should Be postponed
Both questions should be and will be answered.
IN the negative .......,
Neither Of these important yearly events should
Be given up. 49,. !.
The war emergency will modify the character OF
the programs but there is just much need for the
two bio annual meetings in war.times as in peace
times. .... @@~~~. -.
The nations leaders have gone on record against
stopping the wheels Of industry and progress BE-
cause we are at war. " /
They have pointed out, and truly, that American
business must ro on, must expand must prosper,
II America il to support the mighty financial bur
den which our entry into the war entails. They ask
emphasis on essentials and the elimination OF waste
but not strangulation Of business.
10th the territorial Civic Gonrention and the
Mid Pacific Carnival arc founded ON sound ideas OF
public business.
The Civic Convention ID not merrymaking
event II Il not afriyolous event It is an annual
congress Of business and professional men OF all the
Islands for the exchange of ideas on topics OF vital
community interest.
II has been q wonderful stimulant to good feeling
throughout the territory to the cooperation OF all
the islands in attacking problems which demand
money and effort for solution.
Fnasmnch as some Of the arguments toward an
abandonment Of the convention have questioned the
advisabiiity Of Hawaifs doing anything not abso-
lnteiy fieceesafy 1T may be we'll to consider how
6ome other parts Of our country view similar cues
lions.
The Merchants Association Of New York has re-
emily expressed the opinion that II there e tend
ncy to fofego holding conventions and general com
nercial meetings by business interests Il s false
'dea--that the application Of such policy would
Is harmful rather than benehcials both to the gov
trnmenf and to the nations business The further
position assumed BY the association Is that gather
mrs should BE encouraged because failure to hold
them ii usually likely to create false impression,
to breed lack Of business confidence and to discour
ace mutual cooperation which is so necessary under
existing circumstances.
1t is noticed that number Of conventions have
been cancelled or postponed through feeling that
the necessary expenditure which they would entail
Is ii the nature Of an extraSaeance and ought not
Be made at time when the country is admonished
to husband all its resources 1t is noticed also that
ID other localities this feeling il viewed mistake
and the opinion expressed that conventions afford
"a opportunity FOR the Interchange Of ideas and the
promotion Of patriotic sentiment which must prove
Of the very greatest value to the country
we are equally cognizant in Hawaii Of the needs
Of our common country and the necessity Of con-
serving ell our resources but We feel also that even
though our country is at war the affairs Of govern
ment here must continue just the same and will con-
tinue inst the same and that q discussion Of the
many public questions which will come before the
Civic Convention viii be just necessary though
We were at peace
The Afidpacihc Carnival presents different
proposition but much the same arguments for its
continuance hold true. Probably 1t will be well to
change the program considerably. Yet IL IL almost
certain that BY next February Englands food crisis
will be passed. steamship traffic will be more nearly
normal, and Hawaii may justifably campaign for
Tourists The Pacific Ocean ID as safe as eyer-far
tsfer than at the beginning Of the war, when Ger
man warshps and raiders were loose. Tourists will
70 somewhere next winter and all reports up to date
point to tho fact that they will come west and to
Hawaii.
From this staudp6int-of an event which win at
tracf tourist tfatBc-the Carnival should be con.
finued It's character may well be changed to en-
phasizc patriotism In fact, il ii not well to CON.
sider the suggestion to make the Carnival q mon.
kter benefit entertainment for the American Red
Cross fund 81 some other needed war funds II the
Carnival is conducted on thin hasis with every cent
over expenses going to for patriotic purpose, the
response in attendance would be reccrd.breaking.
10 call OF at this time the Carnival next Febru-
ary would be grave mistake France in the midst
Of war draining her very lfeblood found time for
great public fair. II served Its patriotic purpose.
There Is food for thought in this one incident
alone.
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