New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1891-04-07
CANADA AND NEWFOUNDLAND.
THE COMMONS GRIEVANCE AGAINST THE
COLONY.
NEWFOUNDLAND ACCUSED OF BREAKING HER
PLEDGES IN REGARD TO CANADIAN
FISHERMEN.

| Toronto, April 6.-"The Empire the Government
organ says 1t is reported that the harsh treatment
of Canadian fishing vessels by the Newfoundlano su
thorites Is altogether Of keeping with the solemn
pledges of the Government Of tho sister colony mahc
over three years ago. No colony in British North
America had attempted to discriminate against
the fishermen of the sister colonies. When Canada
therefore. intervened between the Bait bill and the
royal assent Her Majesty did not give her assent Until
the Attorney General Of Newfoundland and The New
foundland Government had pledged themselves In the
most emphatic possible, both 10 the CANADIAN
Government and TO the Colonial Office that the ac' IL
allowed, would not be enforced against B1tish UT
Canadian fishermen.
'The Government of Sir Robert Thorburn giving That
pledge, succeeded by the present Government OF
Sir William Whiteway; and last year the Canadians
were amazed TO learn that despite these solemn aSsur
ances the Newfoundland Government was enforcing
the Bait act against French, American, and Canadian
fishermen alike In addition they compelled Cana
dian fishermen to pay tonnage dues. besides being
limited TO the right to obtain only certain amount
of bait during the season and on each purchase
The Newfoundland Government attempted to negotiate
treaty with the United states In the fall of last year.
by which the island Government bound themselves 10
low duties on -four beef pork bacon and agricultural
Implements coming from the United States and to give
United States fishing vessels right TO all their port
privileges including the purchase Of bait free OF duty
on a fee of any kind.
Canada promptly intervened and pointed out to the
Imperial Government that this discrimination proposed
by British colony in favor OF foreign Nation against
another British colony fraught with grave conse
queIlccs to the integrity Of the British Empire In North
America, and involved tie violation OF prlncpis
sacredy observed between all the colonies and Urea
Blaln-that no colony should discriminate against tho
mother country. Hence Her MaJesty's Governments
was induced to refuse sanction TO this treaty.
Apparently exasperated by Canadas representa-
Newfoundland intends not only TO continue 10
violate the pled- given to the Government OF Canada
but 10 grant privileges TO American fishermen WiicD
are denied TO those OF the DominOn so that In enect
while the United States tariff imposes heavy duueS
upon the fish that Canada or Newfoundland hshermeh
may send to the United states from the Banks, New"
foundIand intends to add to this great handicap against
her own fishermen and those OF Canada the further con-
cesson of her ports base Of operation of American
fishermen and which TO be denied to Canadian hsh
ermen, despite the convention OF 1915
"Tbe Canadian Government Is Of the opinion that the
British Parliament under such circumstances shouiu
promptly repeal the bait act, its allowance in the nrS
instance stated aOOve having been secured only upon
express stipulation That it not to apply 10 Canadian
fishermen and Newfoundland having been guilty OF all
unparalleled breach OF faith"
boston, April Ga dispatch 20 "The Boston
Herald from Halifax says The action OF the New
foundland Government in refusing to permit CANADIAN
vessels TO obtain bait in the waters OF that colony Is
causing much irritation among Nova scotia hsherinen
and vessel owners Mr.. Bonds object IN refusing bat
To botb Canadians and French while giving Alerc'hs
all the privileges OF the coast appears 10 he threeou
First to annoy both the Canadian and Imperial Gov
ernments with complications secohaly 10 seeule g
the whole 6a and supply 1aae II W to increase the
desire for the Annexation OF tle Colony " tIc E
c and thirdly 10 eUnySer M M renders fSs 4mer
can fishermen entirely Independent of the canadian
u is though that By tins Mr Boo tSg dole
gates of the Dominion Government and Mr. Blaine