The Portland daily press., 1885-12-01
THE FISHING INDUSTRY,
Important Meeting in this City Yes
terday Afternoon.

A large and interesting meeting of the
fisheries interest was held yesterday after
noon, at the rooms Of the Fishing Exchange,
tostake into consideration the future protec-
ton of the fishing industry. President George
Trefethen was in the chair and read an ex-
cellent letter from Representative N. Ding
ley, Jr., in which he stated he was deeply in
terested in the fisheries and would be happy
to hear any suggestion which would aid him
in defending our fishery enterprise.
The secretary was instructed to correspond
with George Steele, Esq, chairman OF the
committee appointed at the convention held
in Gloucester. and William A. Wilcox, agent
u. S. Commission of Fish and Fisheries, Of
fering cooperation with them in the preser-
walton and encouragement of the fisheries.
The following memorial was presented and
a sufficient number of copies ordered to be
printed and circulated:
10 the Congress Of the United States:
The undersigned, citizens OF the State OF Maine,
who feel deep interest in the preservation and
encouragement of the sea fisheries which have al
ways proved SO valuable nursery OF seamen 70
to the Congress of the United States that these
fishing interests have seriously declined during re-
cent wears. largely in consequence of the dlSas
trous competition of Canadian fish, which, under
treaty ARRANGEMENTS have until recently been adj
mitted into the markets OF the United Stal es with
out the payment of any duty. This exceptional
privilege was granted to Canadians under the be-
lief that certain privileges of fishing in Canadian
waters granted to American fishermen. would
prove more valuable to our fishing interests than
the privilege conceded to Canadians. But expert
ence so fully established the fact that the arrange
ment was greatly to the disadvantage of our fish
ermen-partly in consequence of changed meth
DDS in fishing, which made Canadian waters Oh
little advantage for fishing purposes--that Con
tfrlaseI w inc
give the requisite notice for the termination OF
the fishery clause of the treaty; and, accordingly,
the arrangement terminated on July LIST, 1885,
and Canadian fish have since been charged the
same duty as fish brought into our markets by
other foreign fishermen.
Your petitioners further represent that the Ca
madam government, fully understanding that the
free admission of their fish products to American
markets is necessary in order to give their Usher
men the advantage which they have secured over
American fishermen, has entered into negotla-
lions with the government of the United States,
through the British Minister, to secure the renew
al of the fishery arrangement which SO seriously
injured our fishing interests, either by special
treaty dealing with this subject alone, or by re-
ciproeity treaty including other articles.
Your memorialists respectfully proleStsagainst
any treaty, arrangement, or legislation which
would admit Canadian fish into American markets
free of duty except in the of herrngs brought
into our ports for Sardine packing; and earnestly
pray that Congress will recognize the claims OF
our American fishermen to the same measure of
protection that is accorded other industries of the
nation. We urge this not simply because of the
Importance of the industry, winch cannot mann
tain itself in open, free competition with the
cheaper labor and cheaper vessels and supplies of
Canadians engaged in this industry, but also and
especially because it is nursery OF seamen, from
which the nation has in the past drawn the men
that have defended our flag on the ocean in time
of war; aud which it is as essential to maintain as
a resource and defence in case of conflict with a
naval power as it is TO erect forts and build a
navy.
And as in duty bound will ever pray.
Mr.. O. B. Written said that a great stress
has been laid by the Canadian government of
the incalculable benefit the fisheries of our
government have derived from the privilege
of free fisheries in their waters. 1t is a
privilege we do not ask for, or even want and
statistics will show that it will not pay to
follow. The report of mackerel packers in
this city this year from vessels belonging in
this State, is 79,477 barrels, and only $50 bar
rels were caught in English waters.
A committee was appointed to consider
the matter of early South fishing and report
at an early meeting. After considerable dis
cussion ON different matters appertaining to
the fishing industry, it was voted to adjourn
until next Thursday at p. m.