The New York herald., 1871-02-22
TEE FISHERY QUESTION In CANADA.
Parliament Inquiring Into the Powers Of the
Jsint High Commission.
Statement Of Sir John A. Macdonald England
Guarantees the Rights Of Canadian Fisher.
men-Thc Fenian Raid Claims to be
Brought Before the Commission-Al
Disputed Questions to be Settled.

! OTTAWA, Feb. q, 1871.
In the Dominion Parliament last night Sir A. T.
Gait brought forward motion respecting the
fisheries and the appointment OF JOINT high COM
mission.
Sir John A. Macdonald laid q correspondence con-
nected herewith on the table.
Replying to question Of Sir A. T. Galt If the
government intended to protect Canadian fisheries
as heretofore Sir John A. Macdonald made state
ment at some length regarding the subject. He
described the relations between Canada ana the
United States and the circumstances that had
rendered it necessary that the rights Of this
country to control Its waters should be
asserted. He explained how the system
of licensing American fishermen haa been eat.. a,,
liohcu prnua' = -' ''S' '"s 'e'sciS
...n,ns ncenses In 1859, and only twenty-five in
1869, the number gradually decreasing until the
Americans dlsregarded them altogether. Tue Impe-
rial government assented to the proposition that
Canadian fisheries should be preserved for Canad an
fishermen, and placed naval squadron to aid US In
carrying out that policy. Sir John believed that the
protection had been efficient, and compmented the
activity and discretion OF the officers OF the British
squadron With respect to the Interpretation OF the
treaty or 1918, the Americans did not dispute they
had renounced the right to fish within three miles
from Shore the headIand question had re-
NAMED in aDeyance, but was understood not
abandoned. In the correspondence that had been
going on the Canadian aud imperial governments
ment had given repeated assurances that our rights
should not in any way be surrendered. The mission
OF Hon. Mr.. Campbell had been partly for the pur-
pose of obtaining commission OF three to settle the
disputed questions, and the Imperial government
had consented to appoint such Commission, consist
ing OF Earl de Grey. Sir Edward Thornton and him.
self, Sir John A. Macdonald. The American govern
ment had consented, but suggested that the Commits
sion should consider oil the questions In dispute
The action OF the Commission would be submitted to
the Imperial Parliament.
In reply to Mr.. Dufresne, Sir John said he did not
know that the Commission would Include tue
Fenian raid claims but correspondence was now
going with reference to this matter with the I'm
perlal government.
Discussion followed as to the share the Canadian
government had had IN the negotiations for the
the Premier was obliged 10 confess that Sir Edward
Thornton had taken that step without consulting
Sir John and Sir Francis Hincks also seemed to
believe that the Fenian raid claims would form
subject for consideration the latter especially hold
ing that all questions In dispute with the British
colonies would be considered as mentioned In Sir
Edward Thornton's rirst letter.
SIR. Mackenzie said he could see no basis for such
expectations.
Sir A. j. Calf pointed out that the correspond
cnce must be taken In parts and that the scope
Of the Commission would be decided by MI. Fish's
letter OF acceptance, where he guardedly stated
that the subjects for consideration would be limited
to questions arising out Of the wal.
Sir George E. Cartier, IN reply to Mr.. Macken-
ze, stated that her Malesty's government had pro-
missed that the Commission TO consider oil the Ala
bama claims would have power to deliberate upon
the Fenian raid CLAIMS
Hon. Mr. HOlt0n inquired IL the uetaileu State-
ment OF the Fenian claims requested by Earl Kim
berry hao been furnished before the appointment Of
the Commission, and upon Sir Francis Hincks an
swerng that II had been sent, Mr.. HoitOn remarked
that these papers ought TO have been Included in
this return.
The Premier excused the absence OF important
papers by stating that 1t was quite impossible TO
bring them down, but the Colonial Onice had been
teegraphed with regard 10 those OF q confidential
nature, and they might be produced.
motion to print the papers was adopted.
Mr.. Mackenzie gave notice OF motion for copies
OF the correspondence respecting the Fenian raid
claims. NN HA
In moving for the correspondence respecting the
ST. Clair Flats Canal, MIR. Mackenzie urged the i'm
portance OF flrmly maintaining our rights, as there
was no other channel at our command by which
vessel could be sent from one great lake To another
The importance OF the matter was admitted by the
Premier, who said there was correspondence with
the Imperial government, but 1t was not complete,
and could not, therefore, be produced.
Canadians Satisfied With the International
Commission.
TORONTO Feb 81, 1871.