Rutland weekly herald. [volume] (Rutland, Vt.) 1859-1877, 1871-05-25
The Opposition to the Now FISHERY
Treaty.

Our neigh bors of New brunswick and
Nova Scotia are in great state OF excite
ment in reference to that portion OF the
Joint High Commission Treaty, which
relates to the fishery question, and the
opposition seems to be spreading through
out these two Provinces. The Attorney
General has moved series of resolutions
in opposition to the treaty, in which the
position is taken that with no definition
of existing rights and duties as citizens OF
the respective counties, it proposes to sub
stitute unlimited and dangerous conces
sions for valuable privileges. The Iesoiu'
tions assert that no equivalent is offered
for free admission to Canadian fisheries,
and as for reciprocity in fishing, that it is
barren and delusive exchange. 1t is
also claimed that the proposed money
compensation is wrong in principle, i'm
practicable in execution, and does not Sc
cure az full commercial privileges as were
had under the old reciprocity treaty,
which they maintain to be only fair ex-
change. The people of New Brunswick
and Nova Scotia express the hope that
the Canadian Parliament will not ratify
the treaty, but still adhere to the policy
Of protecting their fisheries. 1t is further
contended that the Canadians should
stand up for their rights, and that the
Commission could not fairly estimate the
value of the fisheries of the two countries.
It il also agreed that the reward would
not be Just, because in the sections provid-
ing for the appointment of the Commits
sion clause had been inserted stating
that the United States did not admit that
they had received any advantages in ex.
cess of Canada. The Attorney General in
aspeech Indignantly repealed the idea that
the Province would be forced into annex.
ation by the treaty. and said of the Moth
or Country, "though she should slay me,
yet will trust in her" Other members
of the opposition spoke, supporting the
resolutions and against the proposed
treaty. 1t is very evident that so Intense
is the feeling that but little if any dissen al
will be taken to the resolution. 1t is also
reported that the fishermen of the Bay oil
Fundy are alarmed and indignant. Public
meetings are being held, and the same
public feeling is represented in Nova
Scotia and Prince Edwards' Island.
We apprehend the American govern
ment will not yield from the position tax.
en- in the treaty. 1t is fair and honorable
and falls far short of what should h ave
been demanded by our government. The
New England fishermen are not satisfied
with the terms of the the treaty because
they are not sufficiently protected. The
British government has practiced all
sorts of indignities and wrongs upon our
fishermen, even to the detention and seiz.
ure of their vessels, and the time has
come when protection can and will be
claimed in reparation for the past, and ex-
act guarantees for the future. This in
dignation of the Provincials grows out OF
desire to have unlimited control of the
best fisheries on the Atlantic coast, to the
disadvantage and annoyance of Ameri-
otus. This ought not longer to continue
aud it is hoped cur government will de-
mand its rights and secure full protection
to New England fishermen.