The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1853-01-31
Our EASTERN RELArIoNs-PRorECrIoN VERSUS


REcIPRocrTY-It turns out that the fishery
resolutions passed at q public meeting at st.
John, N. b., which we published last week,
were got up by the protectionist party in
that city, whose object is if possible, to
prevent reciprocity of trade between the
United States and the British North American
colonies, for the purpose of retaining a mo-
nopoly of the markets of the world ia fsh--which
they are not disposed themselves to catch-or,
at all events, ofpreventing others from enjoying
this advantage. They are equally opposed to
having those mines of mineral wealth, which are
lying idle, worked by the more enterprsing
American forests converted into timber
to be used for shipbuildng, by enterprising
foreigners-or the establishment, by them, of
towns, railroads, and foundries; while, at
the same time, the people of the province
have neither the means nor inclination to
effect these objects to their fullest extent.
And all parties seem agreed that the fish
cries should not be given away without an
equivalent, and that the right to them should
not be surrendered absolutely upon any terms.
There are in the colonies three distinct inte-
The Canadians want it, that they may have rea-
dy market in the United States for their agricul-
tural produce; the people Of New Brunswick are
DESTROYS Of obtaining it, to aid in developing the
splendid resources Of the province; and those OF
Nova Scotia require it, that a market may be
obtained in the United States for their fish. On
the other hand, we have our protectionists here.
no I'm into ofN o;p
that competition should be prevented, that they
may obtain higher price for their lumber the
coal companies desire similar monopoly; the
agriculturists oppose reciprocity, that they may
receive an eXorbitant price for the necessaries
of life and the fishermen of Cape Cod and Marble
head object to it, unless they procure in return
the right to prosecute the fisheries and to cure
their fish on the coast and shores of the British
provinces.
Amid this clashing OF interests, the only
course for the Committee on Commerce to pur-
sue, who at present have the subject under con-
sideration, is to ascertain what will be really
advantageous to the people of this country, and
to recommend such measures as will effect that
object We therefore anxiously await their re-
port, which the chairman, Mr.. Seymour, is pre-
pairing, who has bestowed much attention upon
the subject, and from whose liberal and enlarged
mind we anticipate q corresponding result
That report, we are assured, will be ready by
the time the committee shall be called upon in
the House, and which, we understand, will be
accompanied by mass Of statistical and other
information which Mr.. Seymour has taken con-
siderable pains to collect and digest.
We apprehend that the chief difficulty in deal
ing with the New Brunswickers, will be created
by the duty levied on lumber brought down the
St. John from the State Of Maine, and which is
imposed at the port Of shipment, to which one of
our Washington correspondents recently refer
red-imposed we admit under strict and lite
raj construction Of the terms of the Ashburton
treaty, but which was never intended by it's
trainers, and which, in point Of fact, is the levy
ing Of an unjust toll upon the productions ofthe
neighboring State when foated down that river,
ovon when sent fun one portion Of the United
States to another.
The difficulty which existed in the committee
relative to the coasting trade, we have the best
authority for stating has been got rid Of It
may be as well to mention, in connection with
this branch of the subject, that the act of the
British Parliament repeating the Navigation
laws, authorizes the Queen in council to throw
open the coasting trade Of any two provinces |
which shall address her Majesty to that effect, !
to foreign vessels, or Of one province, if SINH
lar address is transmitted by such province.