Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1885-06-05
Between the United States and Can
ada Discussed at Halifax.
CANADIAN FISHERMEN TO ussfoscE
To Keep Americans Out Of Their
Fisheries---Briti War Ships Asked
For Protection.
A COLLISION OF FISHERMEN LIKELY.

the Halifax Chamber OF Commerce was held
yesterday afternoon, when the protection Of
the fisheries and reciprocity treaty were
discussed. The President stated that the
first thing to come before the meeting was
the reciprocity matter. He said the Cham.
Der knew very well that under the old treaty
peace, prosperity and quietness had pre-
vailed between the fishermen OF the country
and those Of the United States, and il was
very desirable that such state OF things
should exist. I'VE DO not want continued
the President, ito be embroiled as are Eng
land and Russia, and, as Canadians, we do
not want state Of antagonism. We do
want treated, for it is plain that we can
not prevent fishermen from following first
mile or two, as they are not likely to stop
to ascertain what waters they are in. We
want to be friends with the United States"
Mr.. Roche then moved that, as the Domin-
ion Government had done nothing to make
a reciprocity treaty, the local government
call upon the admiral to use the ships Of the
British navy TO protect the fisheries. Strict
meas ures must be used to exclude Amer.
cans from fishing in our harbors and bsys,
and they must not be afforded bait or sup.
plies to take bread from the mouths Of our
people. The fisheries are our life. Unless
British War ships Keep Vigilant Watch
q collision may take place between the
American and Provincial fishermen. 4.
Pickford thought the Chamber might be
going too far in asking the Admiral directly
TO protect the fisheries. Still we must all
feel the importance OF trade relations with
the United States While on visit West,
Mr.. Pickford bad interested himself in in
quiries about the fish trade. In Chicago he
had met Captain Joseph McNab, Robert
and John Book, Young 4 Son and other
natives of Halifax who are now in business
there. Capt, McNab was in the fish busi.
ness and he kept nine runners employed all
the time selling Nova Scotia fish. He had
been astouished at the volume OF trade done
in fish in that part of the United States.
"Our fish" he said, ARE Of the kind that is
wanted in the West, and we ought to use
every effort to obtain treaty by which we
can get them into that market"
Mr.. Mullins said he doubted whether the
matter could be approached iu the manner
indicated BY Mr.. Roche's resolution. II
was going too far, and it seemed to him that
more mischief than good would result from
such source. He thought the Chamber
should approach the Dominion Government
on the matter. DIR. Fsrrer said that the
Chamber had already asked the Dominion
Government to make treaty, which ell
knew possessed such great advantages, but
there was nothing to show that any steps
had been taken.
The Position of the Dominion.
Mr.. Roche announced that he was willing
to modify the resolution by substituting that
the local government approach the Domin.
ion Government.
Hon. Mr.. Jonas said the position of the
Dominion Government was this Sir John
Mcdonald had intimsted that no ap.
proaches would be made to the United
States unless the Washington authorities ex.
pressed their willingness to deal with the
question Of ofreciprocity, and that as yet no
such willingness had been expressed. When
the treaty of 1872 was made at
Washington, Americans were willing
TO give up the privilege Of taking
into their country free coal, lumber
and fish, and after year or two, salt. But
Sir John refused this unless the grain Of
Ontario was also included. The next day
America withdrew this offer, and would
never renew il. Sir John had sacrificed the
interests of the maritime provinces to
western interests, and these interests would
be sacrificed again. The resolution calling
on the Admiralty was an extreme one, bot
one which, under the circumstances. was
justifable. The government should be
given to understand that unless ample pro-
lection is given. the fisheries Of Nova Scotia
and the lower provinces, the Imperial Gov.
eminent will be approached for protection.
The Admiral Called on.
After much discussion the following was
adopted:
Whereas, 1t does not appear that the Do
minion Government have taken steps TO Sc
cure renewal Of the reciprocity treaty, the
Ncya Scotia Government be asked 10 bring
the matter to the notice Of the Dominion
Government, and for that Government to
call upon the Admiralty 10 employ ships Of
the navy to efficiently protect the fisheries
until their treatyIs renewed, or some other
international business arrangement effected
in terms fair TO this province.