The New York herald., 1871-02-26

OTTAWA, Ont, Feb. o5, 1871.
A highly important debate took place in Parlia-
ment last night.
Sir A. T. GAIT, In bringing up his resolutions re-
specting the fisheries JOINT High Commission sup
ported them In q sp ech oil considerable length. lie
said he was impressed with its importance, and
thought the House should support the government
In every way in Its power. He did not think the
imperial government would act dlsnonoraby,
but III It's desire 10 settle the matters with
the United States might attach too little
value TO rights ana interests. The United States
would indeed rather made dependent upon
them than receive any money Indemnity for the
Alabama claims. our fishery regulations had been
regarded with jealousy by the imperial government,
and the despatch OF Earl Kimberly was In some
respects very vague. lie considers that the
FENIAN RAID CLAIMS or CANADA
were stronger than the Alabama claims, ana
1t would have been expected that the impe-
rial government would have responded more
cordially to our requ est and have these
claims pressed on the United states govern
ment but the dispatches were not satisfactory and
ne held that the House snould express It's opinion
to the imperial governm rather Than le it assume
that we were perfectly satisfied. dc pointed out
tnat the Joint Comm lssiou had been suggested by
Mr.. Adams on the I2th OF May, 1866. The proposal
OF the Commission should not come from Canada,
for II would tend 10 weaken our position and call
contestants TO arbiirate upon rights. He re.
ferred the of Pres dent Grants last message.
He expected thar England would have said some
thing about II. rhe imperial and Canadian govern
ments appeared to be in accord up 10 . period In
$780, and since that time the
CANADIAN COVE SNMENT HAD BEEN IGNORED.
He held that the rights OF Canada 10 the three
mile limit ana headlands should be asserted and
sldered OF secondary Importance 10 those of the
empire. lie thought mat the House should assert
that our rights were Of paramount Importance. ana
II would be crlmina weakness to allow them to slip
out OF our grasp He utterly repndiated the idea
thaG the country should he subordinated TO the
United States and hoped that Canada would not be
placed in position of nferoriiy TO the great re-
public.
SIR JOHN A. MACDONALD
was glad that these resolutions were not brought
forward in hostile sense, and with Iuil sense OF
the responsibility resulting therelr ON. The
only question was whether the honorable
gentleman was really str eng thenlug tne hands
Of himself macdonald the Commission
For his part he did not believe that 1t woulu
strengthen MS hands TO allow the Americans to be-
eve that we mad any dIstrust OF our mother country
lie did not believe that IL would strengthen his
House OF Commons OF canada was AFRAID
tercsts would be sacrificed by the mother County,.
of all things in the world they should avoid the
expression of dstrust. He was satisfied OF
the honor OF the English statesmen who
now swayed the destinies OF England, and
that they would not for any consideration of peace
ar quiet settle the questions between England and
the United states at sacrifice 10 the interests OF
canada. There was no fear that the pledge that
Md been made by the government oil England
would be broken. He referred TO the pledge made
TO the Canadian representatives some years ago.
one OF whicn representatives was sir A. I. Galt,
that The whole strength OF the empire wonid be put
forth To protect Canada, II necessary. Were We 10
England would
FALSE TO HER PLEDGES FOR FEAR OF WARP
TINS government a had taken their position last
the support OF her MaJesty's government and the
support or the feet. This government. had made
cerain concessions at the instance OF the imperial
government which was engaged at that time III ne
gotatIons with the United States in q matter on
right for Canada TO have thrown difficulties IN the
way by driving OIL every American fisherman, and
thus adding irritation TO that which already ex-
IsJed2 We had not abandoned our nights. Govern
ment felt, and stll feel the Inconvenience OF having
RIGHTS WHICH WE WERE AFRAID TO ENFORCE
from year to year; and, therefore, this government
instructed Mr. Campbell to ask for mixed COM
mission to settle the question. He believed that II
mite line We would so protect our rights as virtually
10 exclude all foreign fishermen, by making their
fishing Improbable. The honorable member for
bherbl ooke had said that II we would not enforce
the policy OF licensing, we could not enforce the
policy OF exclusion Such was not the case. II re-
qured vast amount OF trouble to overhaul every
vessel and examine her license, whereas by simply
stating that foreign vessels should not come
within tlree-nilc limit, We could enforce
our rights Sir A. r. Gait himself was a member
OF the government when the reciprocity ended, and
was party TO the order issued by the Canadian
government that from that time American fisher.
men IN our waters should be regarded as trespass
and IL was to meet the wishes OF her Majesty's
government that the license system was adopted.
Nova Scotia protested pointing out the evils that
would arise from IL. Notwithstanding the protest
OF Nova scotia the Newfoundland and New Bruins
wick provinces yielded their opinions TO the wish OF
her MaJesty's government. The license system
proved failure, and the only way that remained TO
maintain rights was To exclude foreign fisher
men lrom our waters That policy was adopted and
proved wholly successful.
Alter referring to the dispatches leading TO the
appointment OF the Commission, he commended thai
asubseqUent enlargeme mt oi the commission woulu
not III any way AFFECT the interests OF Canada. A
settlement OF the Alabama claims themselves was of
great Importance TO the interests OF Canada. 1t was
an indication oil the spirit OF England that In settle
ment OF these CLAIMS canada would have voice.
Great as might be our acsire TO defend the fisheries,
great our loss would be II we lost them,
WAR BETWEEN ENGLAND AND THE UNITED STATES
out of the Alabama claims would innict far
greater loss upon Canada; therefore he rejolced
That the Commission had been enlarged
as to include the Alabama clalms because those
Claims once settled. we might conadenty
expect a long period OF peace with the
United States. It opened up new era OF prosperity
Tor Canada. He was glad the United States took
the Opportunity OF having the Alabama Claims
brought before the Commission. For the first time
IN tile history oi the colonial empire IL now hap
pened that Canadian was asked to sit on COM
mission tnat WAS to deal with imperial questions
III these resolutions were passed Ee would so 10
washington merely delegate. amt have no voice
In lis deliberaons The first thing to discuss would
be, Nna0 were our rigatsf Next, HOW Lney were
10 be enforced? aud third What compensation we
should receive in return for any rights we might
yieds What would be said III England II Earl
de Gray, before he left, was 1etteied by orders
OF Parliament as TO our three miles limit. He be-
heveu that three miles oi sea from our shores was
much ours us three miles oi sea on each side OF
England. England woGld not yield these three
miles belonging to Canada without the consent OF
Canada. England, Which looked with dlspleasure
on the annexation OF Alsace and Lorraine against
the WISHES OF tie people, would net consent that our
land should be taken from us. The suggestion OF
the Washington Commission could not be made law
unless ratified by the Parliament OF Canada that
there no risk IN the matter. He hoped sir A.
T. Gait aJ the end or the discussion, would have at
tanned his 0Dlect and feel assured that our rights
lirst rate importance, and would not be sur
render ell except with oar own consent.
AR. MCKENZIE, u leader OF the opposition In an
eloquent speech sand nc did not regret the discus.
SION, though he would strenuousy oppose anything
that would tend TO seyer our connection with the
mother country. He pointed out IN what manner
Canadian interests had been injured IN the pas.