Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1885-07-15
THE FISHERY QUESTION.
Policy of the Dominion Government A
tackled.

Policy OF the Dominion Government At
tackled.
OTTAWA, ONT, July l4-In thu House OF
Commons last night Sir John Macdonald
said that it would be impossible to intro
duce during the present session the legisla-
ton necessary to provide for the enforce
ment ofthe Scott act
Hon. Mr. Bowel admitted that factories
at Msgog, Weston, st, Croix and Brantford
were using imported machinery, the duty on
which had not been paid.
Mr.. Forbes asked if it was the intention
of the government during the continuance
Of the free fishing arrangements allowed
American fishermen, to pay the fsherm IN
OF the Dominion bonus equivalent to the
duties paid on fish shipped to the Unit ID
States by Canadian shippers.
Mr.. Mcclellan said that no such decision
had been arrived al, but the whole fishing
question has yet to be considered.
Mr.. Mills asked whether the Government
intended to invite Parliament to ask for i'm
perial legislation in the matter Of the Onta-
rio boundary this season.
Sir John Macdonald said there was no
difficulty about the boundary line between
Ontario and Manitoba, but the Government
had yet to consider what was the northern
boundary of Quebec. lie proposed to con
fer with the governments OF Quebec, Data
rio and Manitoba, and ask for imperial leg
iSlation on the whole question.
On motion to 20 in on Committee OF
Supply, Mr.. Weldon rose to charge the Gov
ernment with neglect delay and misman-
sgement in relation to the Fishery question.
After the expiration Of the Washington
treaty the Government had delayed action
until it was completely at the mercy of the
Americans and now a disadvantageous ar
rangement was.made, not on the ground Of
aiding Canadian fishermen, but that it
would save American fishermen from in
convenience While Canada undertook to
protect American fishermen from molesta-
ZION in her waters the United States did not
offer any protection to Canadians fishing in
American waters. No treaty or other ar
rAngement was necessary 10 enable Amerl
can vessels 10 buy bait ice or other sup
plies from Canadian merchants so that
Canada was getting nothing whatever Tor
The use OF her fisheries. The whole arrange
ment was Of very one-sided charac e. aud
Americans were not hkel7 to give anything
or Wha, hey roy enjoyed.
Sir John Macdonald denied that the
Government had been guilty Of neglect or
delay. Had negotiations been opened in
lsS3 or 1854 the Government would have
courted repulse The United States Gov
ernment could not be expected to change
its whole policy at the request Of Canadians.
H. deprecated the course of Mr.. Weldon in
bringing on discussion of the subject now.
RcciT ocrity was not essential 10 Canadian
prosperity Canada had done without it
from 1865 to 1871, aud could do without it
again. The Government had already done
u great dea for the fishermen of the mari
time provinces. The catch OF fish Oy Cana
dian fishermen was not restricted by the
use Of Canadian waters by Americans
Mr.. Mitchell eontradicted SirJohn sstate-
mrut tn: the fisheries were not being in'
iured BY Americans. Their system of fish.
ing, if continued would ultimately destroy
tLe fisheries altogether
Ater somr remarks By Mr.. Vail the mat
Ter as dropped.