Hawaii Holomua, Volume III, Number 253, 29 June 1893 — Untitled [ARTICLE]

The Collector-General of Customs has issued an ukaae to the efftct that, from October lst all duties un imported goods must be paid in casb. We cannot understaud or admire the policy has Ied ihe government to take such a step. lt has beretofore been the custom to accept the iraporter’s bonds properly endorsed by some solvent party for the duties due on goods withdrawn. and such bonds bave always been promptly met at the day of maturing. This was a convenience to the importPrs, and a perfcctly safe and solid system for the government to follow. In a amall community like ours, the finaneial standing of every business man is always well known, and it aeeme to us to be the duty and best policy of any government to throw all possible facilities and assistances in the way of the huaineaa eommunity,and todo all in their power to encourage an iucrease in importation and trade generally. Under the bond system an importing firm could withdraw its goods and would thereafter haveample time to make the necessary arrangements for meeting the bond when it heeame matured, and at aueh date tbe goyemmeni received in gold whatever eum the bond called for. During the general depression in busines8 here tnany of the businees houses although perfectly solvent are frequeutly strapped for ready cash. The reeult of CoIlector Onalle’a rule that goods will be imported in bond and withdrawn in very amall portions «t ooe time —just sufficiently to meet an ordinary everyday demand in the trade—and that dutiee will be paid in so emali figuree as to make ailver in- ' stead of gold, the proper tender. ' We coneidsr the coutemplated ehanee a direct aUaek on the businees community, aud we should ‘ suggest to the Chamber of Commerce to eall a meeting snd proteat agaiust the arbitrary aelion of the * Collector-General. If that official would devote wme of hie time now occupied in reading Balzae to the 1 study of natiunal and polilieal ! economv, he would perhape iearn * what the proper course of any gov1 ernment is towards the men who, through duties and tazes furnish ’ them with the necessary nnaoeea. 1 The Minister of Pinanee. who, we 1 are convinced understands the re- ! lations of a government towarde ihe business oommunity sbould [ rescind Mr Castle’s order. f A