New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1891-04-20
CARRYING A PROTEST.
NEWFOUNDLAND SENDING DELEGATES TO
OPPOSE COERCION.
THE REMoNsTRANCE AGAINST THE RE-ENAcr-
NENr OF THE ACT OF GEORGE " AND
AGAINST THE LOBSTER ADMIRATION
NOT PLEASED WITH THE
PROPOSED AMERICAN
CONVENTION.


PROPOSED AMERICAN
CONVENTION.
Sc. Johns, n. F., April Olive delegates 10
the British Parliament took their departure on
April by the steamship Carthaginian. They are
Sir William Whiteway, Premier and Attorney
General; Mr.. G. Emerson, Speaker of the House Oh
Assembly; Mr.. A. b. Morine, leader OF the Opposi-
ton; from the Legislative Council, the Hon.
A. w. Harvey (Government; the Hon. NJ MONROE
lOpposition). Government and Opposition have
agreed to bury the Ratchet as far as this atter
is concerned and to fight against the Coercion Dill
now before the British Parliament shoulder to
shoulder The country is thoroughly reused re-
oarding this question, and the Opposition TO
coercion and to arbitration, as now constituted,
will be bitter and determined. In the Legislature
there is perfect unanimity Of opinion IL IS teit
that If this reenactment of an antiquated statute
~ the time of George Third which had become
q dead letter and was finally repealed, be carried
out this colony will be bound hand and foot, de
nrived of all power of resistance, and must In all
time to come submit helplessly TO whatever regula-
tiops Britain and France may adopt. The pro-
nosed arbitration about Holsters OverrideS the
Constitution of the Colony, it has been entered
into against the emphatic protests of the Legls-
lature and the people, and i'll violation OF the
pledge given in the Labouchere dispatch of 1857,
that no territorial maritime rights should be
interfered with, unless with the consent Of the
people Of the Colony, as expressed through their
representatives For once, all classes and all
political parties are united in determined resistance
TO what they regard unjust and oppressive
measures.
Before the delegates departed both Chambers
Of the Legislature united in passing an address TO
the Houses of Lords and Commons in which their
cd
"remenstnnce" the delegates have carried with
them. have been fortunate enough TO procure
a COPY of this document, which has not yet been
published 1t sets by stating that the Colonial
Legislature appeal to Parliament for protection
and support under circumstances which have
filed the minds of all classes in this country with
profound anxiety and dismay." Then come the
following paragraphs:
Your Honorable House is aware that the old
time difficulties consequent upon the treaties be-
tween Great Britain and France on the subject of
the Newfoundland fisheries have of late yearS as
sumed even unaccustomed gravity, producing pain
full and ceaseless agitation among our people
Two delegations proceeded from here last season to
represent to Her Majestys Government the eX-
orbtaut growth of the claims of the French
under alleged sanction of the treates-and the
further injustice wrought to the community of
Newfoundland Their efforts for redress have
been so far unsuccessful; and we are now con-
fronted with new evil essentially more intoerable
than any of those with which experience has
rendered US but too familiar.
I'VE refer TO the proposal of Her Majestys
Government. by bill now before Parliament to
re-enact the Act Of George w., Cap. 81. for the
better conduct of the treaties between Great Brit
ain and France respecting the Newfoundland fish
cries. which act expired in the year 1884.
This act embodies provisions Of an arbitrary and
oppressive character wholly repugnant TO those
principles of liberty and Justice which are held to
be the basis of modern British legislation. They
conferred upon the officers of Her MajeStys ships
engaged in the fisheries protective service. who
were entrusted with the settlement of treaty dis
putes powers of summary adjudication, independ-
emit of all the restrictions and safeguards which
British law has devised for the defence of the in
herent rights of British subjects These powers
extended to the most severe penal infections, and
were beyond all appeal. And when it is remembered
that they were exercised by persons unacquainted
with legal procedure, and whose peculiar training
and habits of thought and action dictated I'M
questioning submission to their DEGREES, ii must
be manifest that extreme hardship and injustice
were the frequent and inevitable results.
I'VE submit that this law could not now posi-
bly, be rendered applicable to the circumstances
which it is designed to meet. All social and gen
eral conditions in Newfoundland, and particularly
on those parts of the coasts affected by the trea-
ties. have undergone a radical and complete change
in the many years that have elapsed since the law
under consideration enacted There then
no resident population in these localities. Popu-
lation has long since settled in considerable num-
hers and trade and various sources of employment
have become developed and yield their contribu-
tons TO our Customs revenue Several years ago
Her Majesty's Government confirmed the Occupa-
ton of the coast by acceding TO the desire of the
residents for representation in the House Of Assem-
bly,, and for the appointment OF magistrates and
police. They periodically visited by the Su-
preme Court on Circuit; they have regular commu-
nication with the rest of the country and with
Canada, by mail and passenger steamers
in word all the ordinary institutions of civil life
10 the extent TO which the means Of the Colony
enable it TO provide them. The permanence of
their position being thus concluslvely assured and
recognized it can hardly be necessary to point out
with what cruel severity-with what destructive
effect the proposed law would operate upon the
trade. the industries and every other apprecable
interest of this section of our people. 1t must be
clear beyond reach of doubt that TO recall this in
strument Of coercion in their case would be TO out
the feelings and the rights of the lawabiding
and loyal inhabitants of this whole dependency of
the British Crown We would, therefore,
most earnestly implore your Honorable House. by
all your hoDored and revered traditions to desist
from inicting upon the people of this country the
calamity of such enactment that which is
now in contemplation
We would remind your honorable House that
Her Majesty's Government and that of France
have lately agreed on arbitration respecting the
Newfoundland fisheries; such tribunal however,
proposing TO deal with question only. and
this the recent question of the lobster fishery.
This partial proceeding has been decided not
only without reference 10 the Newfoundland Gov
eminent, but against their emphatic protest. We.
too on the part of this Colony, beg TO present an
EQUALLY emphatic protest AGAINST q cOnrse adonted