The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1884-12-06
RECIPROCITY.
The Halifax, n, S. Chamber of
Commerce Favors It.
GLOUCEsTER, MASS, FISHERMEN
oppose THE Project.

HALIFAX, n. S., Dec. 5.-One of the largest
Chamber of Commerce ever held, took place
yesterday afternoon TO discuss the subject of
reciprocity in accordance with resolution
of the st. John Beard of Trade
W. @. Silver, chairman of the meeting,
opened the proceedings by reading resolu-
ton of the St. John Board of Trade. He
plaosd the subject before the meeting az one
not only OF local interest, but of immense inn
portance to the whole province The matter
he said, covered interests OF every class OF the
community, from the laborer on the wharf to
the highest class of trade.
William Roche, Jr., made the first speech.
He said that all would agree that reciprocity
when in force, was great benefit to Canada,
while the nited States merchants made 10
claim that it had affected their business iDj
riously. He thought that all agreed that reel
prooity was good thing, and the only point
on which difference OF opinion might arise,
was if it sbonld be brought mp for action,
whether By petition or memorial to the govern
ment 10 urge it or whether time should be al
lowed 10 have the merchants OF the United
States see more particularly the benefit they
would derive from it, aud so let them take the
initiative by bringing il before their Congress.
All agreed that the money on which they
were now living was earned and made during
period of reciprocity, He knew of no time
when the money put into a vessel was so lucra-
tive as then, and be knew 8 number of people
around who had made their money then and
had since just held their own. These people
now complained that their vessels were idle
fo' some bulky materials to carry to the Unit
ed Statee
The question might arise as to what would
be the objection to reciprocity. He did not
think We should ask United States merchants
to take what we sent them and pay cash for it,
or that We should pay cash for imports. He
did not think there had been any compensa-
tive increase in trade with the upper provinces
during the past ten or fifteen years, aud he did
not think we had been benefited by oonfeder-
alton, He considered that this was the time for
commencing experiments, as the state OF trade
was slow, and in efforts to increase il expert
ments could more opportunelY be tried than
perhaps at ether times, and so new starts
would besmade He thought it was the most IA
vorable juncture to petition the Dominion
Government to propose g reciprocity treaty on
fair terms, and he thought the United States
were not disposed to look otherwise than in a
fair and impartial manner upon the maritime
provinces. The chairman also spoke OF its be-
ing a favorable opportunity for action.
In reference to the resolution favoring reci-
procity recently passed at meeting of Boston
merchants he thought it of the greatest i'm
portaDce that closer relations be established be-
tween Nova Scotia and Boston particularly, in
Stimulation OF the fish business.
Mr Roche tabulsted his sentiments in the
following resolution
ReFolyed, that the chamber of commerce unite
with the board of trade of ST. John in requesting
the Dominion government to take prompt and etfec-
tive steps toward rearrAnging reciprocity treaty
with the United States on fair terms, and 10 make
efforts TO secure advantages of trade relations with
the Spanish and British West India Islands.
Hon. A. G. Jones thought it was we'll to be
careful how this matter was proceeded with.
The cause might be iDin inred by being too strong
in expression He fancied that no one in the
Dominion objected TO a reciprocity treaty with
the United States on fair terms. 1t was mat
ter of the greatest interest 10 merchants, in
fact it was life aud death almost for their trade
Robert Piokfsrd believed that trade with
the United States was OF very much greater
importance than trade with the West Iadies.
He felt that If ever there was q time to press
for reciprocity with the United States, it was
now. He had recently been in the United
States, and from conversations with mer-
chants there lie believed the idea would be
met most kindly by majority OF them. He
wanted to see reciprocity With the United
Scotia Before the treaty was abrogated, the
wtarves were somewhat lively, and were twice
as valuable property as they are to-day.
Senator Power thought there was no danger
of the United States making an unfair treaty.
II the people OF the United States wanted to
make treaty they would do is in business
ike way, and if they came to q conclusion, as
no doubts thay already have, as to bow much
value they can get out OF reciprocity, they
would not hesitate to set it forth. He failed to
see the benefit of speaking with bated breath
of the matter when st. John has already
spoken ont. He considers that it was time to
show that the people of the Maritime Prov
inces are in earnest in the matter.
After others had spoken in favor of reci-
prooitY, the question was called and after
little further discussion the resolution was
adopted unanimously amidst applause.
Senator Power moved that the executive
committee of the chamber be instructed to
prepare q memorial to the Dominion govern
ment asking for negotiations in favor Of a
reciprocity treaty as in the above resolution,
and embodying such arguments and statistical
information in favor Of ths same as they may
deem it.
The motion was seconded by Mr.. B. W.
Chapman and passed unanimously, after
which the chamber adjoaIned.
GLOUCESTER, Mass, Dec. "a large meet
ing OF the representative business men of this
place was held in the rooms of the Gloucester
Mutual Fishing Insurance company this morn
ing to take into consideration the question re-
lative to the proposed renewal of reciprocity
between the United States and the Dominion
of Canada, which shall include among its pro-
visions free admission of British caught fish
into the United States markets. The rooms
were densely thronged. All the leading fish
ing firms were represented, and there was
large attendance of master mariners engaged
in the fisheries and many others directly or in
directly interested in that industry.
Geo. Steele, president of the Mutual Fishing
Insurance Company, was chosen chairman and
A. Story secretary,
Spirited addresses were made by the chair
man, Fritz j. Babson, collector OF customs,
William A. Pew. Jr., John j. Pew, Sylvester
Cunningham and Postmaster David w. Lowe,
pointing out the Importance of immediate aud
united action to protect the interests Of the
operative fishermen against the dangerous
competition which must resnlt from keeping
our markets free to the products of the Can
adian fisheries.
A committee was chosen with full powers to
take such action as they deem proper to invite
the cooperation of other New England fishing
ports by delegates or otherwise, to the general
msgting